Summary
- JetBlue is expanding its presence in Puerto Rico by opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
- The airline plans to grow its local workforce with as much as 120 pilots and 325 flight attendants based in San Juan.
- JetBlue’s deployment of Airbus A321LR aircraft with lie-flat seating goals to counter Frontier Airlines’ recent moves within the Caribbean.
JetBlue is expanding in Puerto Rico by opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico.
Opening its seventh crew base
JetBlue is the biggest airline in Puerto Rico and intends to carry that position. Yesterday, JetBlue announced it was opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That is the second announcement inside a month involving an expansion in San Juan, making it clear that JetBlue intends to carry its number-one spot on the island.
By the top of this yr, JetBlue can have a crew base for pilots and flight attendants in operation at SJU, making it the seventh within the network. By 2025, the airline expects so as to add one other 400+ local jobs, contributing to the local economy. In line with the airline’s announcement, as much as 120 pilots and 325 flight attendants will likely be based in Puerto Rico, meaning their trips will start and end in San Juan. JetBlue highlighted that by opening a brand new base, it can have the opportunity to recuperate faster during irregular operations like severe weather.
Photo: JetBlue
Warren Christie, JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer, said,
“We’re so excited to base lots of more crewmembers right here in San Juan, where we’re proud to be the biggest airline with plans to grow much more. The brand new crew base will support our operation as we grow and profit the local economy in a spot we’re proud to call home.”
The opening of the brand new crew base is not going to only add recent jobs but JetBlue’s previously announced expansion is predicted so as to add about 80 jobs, from frontline operation positions to technical positions.
Competing with Frontier
It goes without saying that JetBlue is responding to Frontier Airlines’ actions. In recent months, Frontier announced it was opening a crew base in Puerto Rico and expanding its operations there. Earlier this month, JetBlue announced it will add several routes, just a few of which compete directly with Frontier. JetBlue drove the proven fact that it’s the biggest airline in San Juan and can proceed to be.
JetBlue Boosts Puerto Rico Flights To Counter Frontier’s Recent Moves In Caribbean
As a part of the expansion in San Juan, JetBlue will begin deploying a few of its Airbus A321LR aircraft, that are configured with its renowned business class product, Mint. Mint offers lie-flat seating and unique dining options and will likely be available on one day by day flight between San Juan and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Latest York. JetBlue will likely be the one airline offering lie-flat seats between the 2 cities.
Photo: JetBlue
In line with data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, greater than 11,000 roundtrip flights are scheduled to and from San Juan in July. The airport is serviced by 18 airlines, including JetBlue, Copa Airlines, and Iberia. JetBlue has the biggest market share by variety of flights and seat offering.
In July, JetBlue will operate 2,322 flights to and from San Juan. The airline’s total seat offering is 398,752. Frontier’s seat offering isn’t far behind JetBlue’s, but it surely is number three when it comes to the variety of flights. Cape Air is the second-busiest airline on the airport by variety of flights, with 1,862, while Frontier has 1,724. Frontier’s seat offering is 354,366, while Cape Air’s is 16,758.
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