NEW YORK, March 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU), New York's low-fare carrier, has received authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve the Dominican Republic. Upon completion of the application process by the government of the Dominican Republic, JetBlue plans to launch twice daily service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Santiago, starting June 10, 2004, and a daily flight to Santo Domingo, starting June 17, 2004. (See note 1.)
The carrier will offer an introductory sale fare on these routes of $119 (see note 1) each way, when booked at JetBlue's website, www.jetblue.com. These sale fares, which require a seven-day advance purchase, must be purchased by May 31 and are valid for travel through June 30. For an additional $5 each way, these sale fares can also be booked by calling 1-800-JETBLUE. Seats are limited and customers are encouraged to book early.
The airline's regular one-way fares on both new Dominican Republic routes will range from $134 to $299 (see note 1) each way if booked via www.jetblue.com. For an additional $5 each way, fares can also be booked by calling 1-800-JETBLUE. For customers calling from the Dominican Republic, fares can be booked by calling 1-801-365-2350. JetBlue's flight schedules will be (see note 1):
New York (JFK) to Santiago (STI) Santiago to New York
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
6:50am - 10:25am (eff. 6/10/04) 2:20am - 5:55am (eff. 6/11/04)
9:45pm - 1:20am (eff. 6/10/04) 11:25am - 3:00pm (eff. 6/10/04)
New York (JFK) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) Santo Domingo to New York
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
9:05pm - 12:50am (eff. 6/17/04) 1:50am - 5:35am (eff. 6/18/04)
JetBlue announced that Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport would serve as its international arrivals terminal as the carrier's Terminal 6 home is not equipped with customs and immigration services. All customers will still depart JFK from Terminal 6, but those arriving from the Dominican Republic will arrive at Terminal 4. JetBlue selected Terminal 4 for Dominican Republic arrivals based in part on the terminal's 24/7 operations, the only terminal at JFK offering this world class capability.
"Thousands of customers contacted us after our March 8 announcement asking to be notified by email when tickets to the Dominican Republic went on sale," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Now that the Department of Transportation has approved our request, we're excited that our Dominican Republic bound customers will soon be able to enjoy the JetBlue experience."
"Terminal 4 is recognized by airlines as offering the highest level of service for their passengers," said Alain Maca, president of JFK IAT, LLC. "We are delighted that JetBlue, one of the most sought after carriers by the flying public, has chosen Terminal 4 as their partner in New York.
All service is pending approval by U.S. and Dominican Republic governments.
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 57 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add another 12 A320s to its fleet in 2004. The airline has 100 EMBRAER 190 aircraft on order with options for an additional 100 with deliveries scheduled to begin in mid 2005. All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy all-leather seats each equipped with free live satellite television, offering up to 24 channels of DIRECTV(r) Programming at every seat. (See note 2)
Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue currently operates 238 flights a day and serves 23 destinations in 11 states and Puerto Rico. JetBlue plans to commence new service between Boston, MA and Oakland, CA and between Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, CA on May 4, between JFK and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on May 27, and between JFK and San Jose, CA, on June 10. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and a Saturday night stay is never required. For more information, schedules and fares, please visit www.jetblue.com or call JetBlue reservations at 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), 1-888 538-2583 if calling from Puerto Rico, or 1-801-365-2350 if calling from the Dominican Republic. This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
Note 1 -- This service is subject to receipt of government operating authority. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.10 per segment. Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, U.S. Departure Tax of $13.70 each way and September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way. Dominican Republic fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $10.10, Airport Authority and Infrastructure Fees of up to $22.45 each way and Airport Departure Tax of up to $20.00. Fares for travel originating from or purchased in the Dominican Republic will range from $133 to $335 each way.
Note 2 -- DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights between New York City and Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic.
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, our ability to implement our growth strategy including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations, our significant fixed obligations and our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, increases in maintenance costs, fuel prices and interest rates, our dependence on the New York market, seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, our reliance on sole suppliers, government regulation, the loss of key personnel and potential problems with our workforce, the potential liability associated with the handling of our customer data and future acts of terrorism or the threat of such acts or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas. Additional 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 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.