JetBlue plans return of international markets in June

JetBlue‘s international route network virtually disappeared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapidly shifting entry requirements and limited demand forced dozens of markets to close. Headed into June, however, the company sees some signs of optimism and opportunity as it anticipates reopening 13 destinations.

Boosting the international markets for JetBlue

The hometown hub of JFK Airport will see the most markets added, with Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica; Santiago, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Cancun, Mexico; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Providenciales, Turks & Caicos; St. Lucia; and Grenada returning to the market.

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Fort Lauderdale anticipates a service return to Guayaquil, Ecuador and Nassau, Bahamas. Montego Bay, Providenciales, Port-au-Prince, and Santo Domingo are also on tap for the carrier’s main Florida hub.

Orlando gets reconnected to Cancun under the new plan while Newark and Boston pick up Santo Domingo. San Juan also gets Punta Cana added back.

Details on frequencies or specific start dates for the routes were not included in the memo. The company is also very clear that the plans are based on changes to entry requirements at the destinations, changes that may not come to fruition as expected. But the hope is there, which is a positive sign.

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Domestic cuts extended, shifted

While the international boost is a nice win the domestic network continues to see a mixed bag of recovery demand. July 1, 2020 will bring the return of nine markets while another seven remain suspended at least through July owing to weaker passenger demand.

Puerto Rico service grows, with Aguadilla and Ponce both returning to the map. Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Portland (PDX) and Providence are all coming back in the first tranche. Baltimore, Burbank, Newburgh/Stewart, LaGuardia, Ontario, San Jose (SJC) and Westchester/White Plains are all in the second category.

These Blue Cities won’t see service until at least August based on the current network forecast.

JetBlue also anticipates delaying the opening of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Hyannis service. The first two will not launch until 1 July while the last not until 1 August, according to the note.

JetBlue is also awaiting a final determination from the Department of Transportation to suspend service at Worcester, Albuquerque, Palm Springs, Sacramento and Sarasota through 30 September under the CARES Act guidelines. Those cities were tentatively approved last Friday.

The news was shared with crewmembers this afternoon and a copy of the notice was reviewed by PaxEx.Aero.

More on CARES Act routes and and the airlines affected

• DOT grants exemptions to Delta, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines under CARES Act obligations
• JetBlue plans new route network for CARES Act compliance
• Spirit Airlines running triangle routes to meet CARES Act requirements
• Sun Country wins big as United, Frontier lose in latest CARES Act ruling
• Frontier Airlines pushes new route plan for CARES Act compliance
• Spirit Airlines asks DOT again to drop destinations
• JetBlue aims to drop 16 "major hub" destinations from its network
• Allegiant scores leniency from DOT in CARES Act obligations
• JetBlue, Spirit score exemptions to drop service at major US airports
• Cape Air’s ugly April stats (and some possible good news for May)
• United raises ire in cutting hours for salaried employees
• DOT further relaxes airline CARES Act obligations
• United faces lawsuit over M&A employees pay cut
• JetBlue plans return of international markets in June
• American Airlines seeks buyouts of thousands of workers
• Frontier, Mobile bicker over flights to Orlando
• United plans $5 billion loan against MileagePlus
• JetBlue plans to outsource airport operations at (more) smaller destinations
• American to suspend 15 markets as CARES Act funding expires
• ExpressJet to wind down operations on 30 September
• Spirit Airlines avoids pilot furloughs in October
• Hawaiian to cut ‘Ohana, if the DOT will allow it