With engine problems, JetBlue will stop flying to 3 South American cities

JetBlue today confirmed its plans to reduce several routes and frequencies both domestically and internationally, affecting three key markets in South America. Effective June 13, JetBlue will completely cease operations in Kansas City, in addition to South American cities of Bogotá, Quito and Lima.

In contact with partner portal Aviacionline, JetBlue said they will effectively stop operating in these cities, while they will also not resume operations in Newburgh, New York.

“JetBlue is constantly evaluating our routes to better serve our customers, return our airline to profitability and find ways to improve our reliability (…) These decisions are never easy, however, these markets have recently been below our expectations” , responded from the airline.

“These moves will allow us to reallocate our fleet to increase frequencies on successful routes from JetBlue’s focus cities, while continuing to increase crucial ground time for our aircraft, reducing the possibility of delays for our customers. The changes will also help us during a time when aircraft availability is limited, especially with some of our aircraft grounded due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine inspections.“, they explained.

Precisely, Jehn had said in the internal communiqué that “These markets are not profitable and our flight time can be better utilized elsewhere.”

JetBlue currently connects Bogotá, Quito and Lima with Fort Lauderdale (Miami), which not only offered direct access to South American destinations, but also served as connecting points to other destinations within the United States through its network.

The airline will continue to fly in South America from Fort Lauderdale to Guayaquil and Medellín; as well as from New York to Georgetown, Guayaquil and Cartagena.

Additionally, JetBlue will also reduce several routes from Los Angeles (LAX) to destinations including Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Reno-Tahoe (RNO), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Liberia (LIR) in Costa Rica, Cancún (CUN) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) in Mexico. These adjustments are due to the lack of sufficient slots at LAX and the anticipated reliance on the merger with Spirit Airlines.

Other affected routes include flights between Tampa (TPA) and Aguadilla (BQN), Puerto Rico; New York (JFK) and Detroit (DTW); and between Orlando (MCO) and Salt Lake City (SLT).

“Now more than ever, every route must earn its right to remain on our network”concluded Jehn.

These route cuts come just two weeks after the collapse of the merger deal between Spirit and JetBlue. Both airlines are seeking to reorganize and make key markets profitable amid financial and operational challenges.