Q: The runway construction is set for March through June. JetBlue is reducing flights February through Labor Day. Is there a reason you are cutting flights on a longer basis?
JetBlue is the largest domestic carrier out of JFK. In fact, close to 25 percent of JFK’s daily scheduled departures belong to JetBlue. We will extend our winter schedule through the end of June to ease congestion at JFK during this time. As mentioned on our earnings call, while we are growing significantly in Boston and the Caribbean, the rest of our network will be shrinking in 2010 on a year over year basis.
Q: JetBlue said this would mean about 10% fewer flights during the peak summer months at JFK — are you moving those flights elsewhere or just not making them at all?
Yes, in light of our cap effective March 1 we moved capacity elsewhere in the network starting in February for our peak winter schedule. We have moved some capacity to Boston for this time period to continue on our path of becoming Boston’s largest carrier, as we will have a 30% permanent expansion there by the end of this summer.
Q: What kind of flight disruptions are you expecting during the work? Will delays be worse than over the same period normally?
JetBlue and all impacted airlines have been planning extensively with the FAA and the Port Authority to minimize the impact on airport operations during the closure. Airlines are voluntarily reducing their schedules and operations to mitigate delays. The FAA predicts that the delays during the runway closure could be similar to those seen during peak summer months. We expect there will be some impact in the form of delays, but we are partnering with the Port and other airlines to ensure that impact is minimized. We prefer a 4-month closure over the alternative – part time work that extends for more than a year would have a greater impact on our Customers.
Q: Why is this project being done now with the economy and traffic down?
A: The runway was last rehabilitated in asphalt in 1990 and has become subject to routine failures and requires closures that are often unplanned and inopportune. Please contact PANYNJ for further information.
Q: Why in concrete and why 200 foot wide?
A: The PANYNJ has been told by the experts that this will allow a 30+year lifespan and the 200 foot width will make snow removal faster and less costly due to edge light placement.
Q: Why are the schedule reductions being limited to the domestic airlines and not to the foreign carriers?
A: Because this is a voluntary reduction and done outside of formal slot reductions, the bulk of the volume at JFK is between three U.S. airlines (DL, AA and B6). To avoid a potential for permanent slot reductions, this is being worked as a voluntary agreement. Due to the aforementioned slots, no airline can introduce any significant new service regardless.
For additional information please contact the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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