NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces an aircraft heavy maintenance agreement with Empire Aero Center of Rome, NY. Empire Aero Center, in partnership with SR Technics, will provide JetBlue with Airbus A320 heavy maintenance support, known as "C" Checks, for up to 12 aircraft in 2007.
"We searched the world for an additional partner for this important maintenance work and found Empire Aero Center in our own backyard," said David Neeleman, CEO and Founder of JetBlue Airways. "As a New York based and headquartered airline, we're committed to supporting the flight needs and the economy of the Empire State. In addition to our existing service in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and soon, Newburgh, we look forward to a successful partnership with Empire Aero Center and SR Technics that will support the economy of Upstate New York while maintaining JetBlue's fleet as we continue to grow."
"This is a very important day for all of us at Empire Aero Center as this contract with JetBlue Airways represents the culmination of our goal to provide outstanding service to blue chip customers," said Brian Olsen, President of Empire Aero Center. "This is just the beginning of a partnership that will undoubtedly precipitate our long-term goal to become a leading provider of airframe MRO services in North America."
"Today's announcement is yet another validation of the tremendous resources of skill and expertise that exists here in Rome and throughout the Mohawk Valley. This new partnership between JetBlue and the Empire Aero Center will help new jobs take off and new opportunities take flight in the Mohawk Valley. Indeed, this is a great day for the community and New York - I am proud to have played a part in making this happen," Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said.
JetBlue has a current fleet of 96 A320 aircraft with an additional 82 A320 aircraft on order and 49 A320 aircraft options through 2013. In support of this scheduled growth, this agreement between JetBlue and Empire Aero Center has the potential to extend beyond 2007.
In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 48 destinations with up to 470 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (a), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts(r) coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars(r). On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service(tm), with a comfort kit designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com/?source=pr.
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(a) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable FOX InFlight(tm) is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight(tm) is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; increases in maintenance costs, fuel prices, insurance costs and interest rates, our dependence on the New York market; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.