By Philip Newman
The Forest Hills-based low-fare airline JetBlue has announced an expanded schedule of flights to Puerto Rico and Buffalo in a move praised by both of New York's U.S. senators and Gov. George Pataki.
JetBlue will begin its fourth and fifth daily flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Juan May 22 and June 12, respectively, while its sixth and seventh daily flights from JFK to Buffalo are to be added June 26.
“As we celebrate our third anniversary this week as New York's low fare carrier, it's a privilege to announce more flights to both the north and south serving New Yorkers across the Empire state and their extended families in Puerto Rico,” said David Neeleman, chief executive officer of JetBlue.
“When I first started lobbying JetBlue to fly to Puerto Rico and Buffalo, I said that if they supplied the seats, New Yorkers would fill them,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). “Well, we're meeting that challenge and exceeding all expectations. JetBlue is adding more flights because New Yorkers have proven a basic law of economics: when you offer top shelf service at affordable prices, people scoop it up.”
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) agreed.
“Time and time again, JetBlue continues to show its unparalleled commitment to the cities of upstate New York,” Clinton said. “With the upstate economy relying heavily on consistent air travel options in order to prosper in today's economic environment, it is comforting to know that JetBlue is there for the thousands of business and leisure travelers who have grown dependent on its upstate service.”
“I congratulate JetBlue on their success and on growing their service to both Buffalo and San Juan,” said Pataki.
Before JetBlue began service to several upstate destinations, business travelers and other passengers had long complained of what they termed were exorbitant fares charged by airlines serving such points as Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester.
JetBlue flies new Airbus A320 jets equipped with leather seats and television at every seat. All fares are ticketless and a $5 discount is offered on all fares purchased at www.jetblue.com
JetBlue also announced its January traffic increased 93.2 percent from January 2002.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
