JetBlue Airways, which was previously the dominant airline at Long Beach Airport, announced plans to move its Southern California hub to Los Angeles International Airport, with the aim of expanding services over the next five years.
The New York-based airline plans to start relocating to LAX in October. Last day of JetBlue Airways Corp. operation on Long Beach is October 6th.
JetBlue blamed it for its move to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the financial blow caused by the pandemic had made the airline reconsider its future in Long Beach.
“The impact of COVID-19 on our industry has forced us to pay close attention to our remaining Long Beach Airport operations, which continue to financially outperform our network despite years of efforts – including trying to carry international flights – for our operations in The airport was successful, “JetBlue spokesman Philip Stewart said, referring to the decision by Long Beach lawmakers in 2017 to kill proposals to allow international flights.
In Long Beach, JetBlue is popular as a low-cost airline that serves smaller and less crowded airports. Its biggest rival, Southwest Airlines, has for years increased the number of flights from Long Beach, with plans to dominate the niche on the West Coast.
In recent years, the relationship between JetBlue and Long Beach has been established.
JetBlue has proposed adding international flights from Long Beach to Mexico and other Latin American destinations, but the idea was rejected by lawmakers and locals who fear the addition of international flights will cause more traffic, air pollution, decline in property values and pressure to lifted the limited noise limits of the city.
About a year ago, Long Beach Airport forced JetBlue to provide almost one third of the gate slot after being warned that it was in danger of breaking new city regulations designed to prevent airlines from sitting in slots that were less used to prevent competitors from leaving.
Some of its competitors, including Southwest Airlines, took most of the slots that JetBlue gave up.
At Long Beach Airport, JetBlue now has 17 of 41 permanent flight slots, which airport officials say are likely to be taken over quickly by other operators.
“We understand that the aviation industry – now more than ever – is constantly changing and national airlines are making difficult business decisions to remain competitive in light of the pandemic,” Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said in a statement. “We expect strong interest towards [JetBlue] slots when available. “
In addition to consolidating cross-continental flights to LAX, JetBlue said it plans to start expanding to around 70 flights per day by 2025, including international flights. JetBlue now flies about 20 takeoffs daily from LAX.
“Although we realize it is a bitter thing to say goodbye to the community that has been part of our company’s story since our early days, this step is right for JetBlue and our future as we think about our next decade of growth,” said Stewart.
