Mary Kirby/NEW YORK
US start-up JetBlue Airways is to increase frequencies on current routes while trimming back plans for new services. The carrier, which claims to run at a profit, aimed to serve 30 US cities within three years when it launched last February, but with 11 routes in operation it plans to open up only six or seven more this year.
Chief executive David Neeleman says an independent survey of JetBlue's network suggests more frequencies are required in existing markets to boost traffic and render the airline more attractive to possible codeshare partners. Neeleman adds that consolidation involving US Airways, Trans World Airlines and American Airlines could present "opportunities", as JetBlue competes with at least one of the three on many routes.
Of the 40 Airbus A320s JetBlue is due to take by 2002, half will be used to add frequencies and half on new routes. The airline plans to increase daily flights from its New York JFK base from 32 to 66 by the end of next year, and to 100 by 2003. Codeshare talks with the UK's Virgin Atlantic and other carriers should also resume by the end of 2002.
JetBlue enjoyed its first quarter of profitability in the fourth quarter of last year, but has not revealed the size of its full-year loss.
Source: Flight International
