JetBlue urges US government to reform airport access for airport slots

JetBlue Airways urged the United States government to reform airport access rules and regulatory policies to secure airport slots and compete with the big four airlines.

JetBlue chief executive Joanna Geraghty expressed optimism for changes under President Donald Trump’s administration, including enforcing Open Skies agreements, and considered legal action against Portugal for denying Lisbon authorisations.

The current year posed challenges for JetBlue’s recovery, but the airline positions itself better than low-cost competitors for premium travellers and focuses on its transatlantic network. JetBlue president Marty St George described the transatlantic market as profitable, balancing sun markets in winter and European markets in summer and autumn.

JetBlue expanded in Spirit Airlines’ markets with nine new nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale International to Cali, Aruba, Cartagena Rafael Núñez International, Grand Cayman Island, Guanacaste, New Orleans International, Pittsburgh International, San Pedro Sula and St Maarten, launching in November.

Joanna Geraghty shared: “With four carriers that carry the bulk of the domestic market share, you have to start creating policies to increase competition. You’ve got to enable us to grow. The only way to do that is policies that give new entrants the same access.”

Some of the carriers that are known for much lower cost and a more reduced customer experience are struggling to try to get more premium customers on board. JetBlue always has had a great customer experience.”

Marty St George shared: “That balance of good sun markets in the winter and then European markets in the summer and fall, it’s made for a very, very good profit portfolio for us.”