NEW YORK, June 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) reported today that its traffic in May increased 11.3 percent from May 2005, on a capacity increase of 21.9 percent. Load factor for May 2006 was 79.1 percent, a decrease of 7.5 points from May 2005. JetBlue's preliminary completion factor was 99.8 percent and its on-time(1) performance was 81.7 percent.
Commenting on these results, David Neeleman, CEO, said, "We are very pleased with the revenue progress we've made so far this quarter. Our passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) was up by an estimated nine percent in the month of May while April's PRASM was up 18 percent year over year. These improvements reflect the positive impact of changes made to our revenue management process, whereby we are pricing our inventory in order to achieve a higher yield while relinquishing some of our load factor."
(1) The U.S. Department of Transportation considers on-time arrivals to be those domestic flights arriving within 14 minutes of schedule.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS TRAFFIC RESULTS
May 2006 May 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger miles (000) 1,897,356 1,704,966 11.3
Available seat miles (000) 2,399,501 1,968,274 21.9
Load factor 79.1% 86.6% (7.5)pts.
Revenue passengers 1,421,421 1,207,057 17.8
Departures 12,345 9,028 36.7
Average stage length 1,276 1,398 (8.7)
Y-T-D 2006 Y-T-D 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger miles (000) 9,462,304 7,765,394 21.9
Available seat miles (000) 11,345,495 9,000,285 26.1
Load factor 83.4% 86.3% (2.9)pts.
Revenue passengers 7,360,432 5,855,949 25.7
Average stage length 1,244 1,311 (5.1)
SOURCE: JetBlue Airways Corporation
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 37 destinations with more than 400 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 coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars. On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service, with a Shut-Eye Kit(tm) 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.
(a) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable FOX InFlight is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
The JetBlue logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=795
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 maintain our culture as we grow, our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, our dependence on the New York metropolitan market, our reliance on automated systems and technology, our reliance on sole suppliers, additional government regulation and changes in our industry due to financial condition and external geopolitical conditions. 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.