JetBlue, Puerto Rico’s largest airline has celebrated the return of its full flight schedule on the island following Hurricanes Maria and Irma last autumn.
The airline said the return of capacity came six months earlier than originally planned, “given the improved demand for travel to Puerto Rico as the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria and welcomes new visitors.”
To support the increase in service, JetBlue has hired 50 new crewmembers for its San Juan operation, with the new crewmembers joining the airline in time for the summer peak season. Along with the airline’s nearly 500 crewmembers based in Puerto Rico, they will support JetBlue’s up to 48 daily flights between the island and 13 cities in the US and Caribbean.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the airline introduced an initiative to provide for the immediate needs of the community, whilst also focusing on long-term productive partnerships with entities such as the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) to encourage the return of tourism and invest in the island’s future.
The airline has gradually increased its flights as demand has grown from the visiting friends and relatives who travel back and forth to the island.
“Our return to our pre-hurricane flight count is a testament to the incredible resilience of Puerto Rico and our crewmembers who kept flights operating during a very difficult period,” said Dave Clark, vice-president sales and revenue management for JetBlue. “We are honoured to be the airline that brings Puerto Rican families together and transports tourists to the beautiful beaches and attractions of this great region. We will continue to partner with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company to bring back tourism to this beautiful island.”
The return to capacity coincides with JetBlue’s 16th anniversary of service in San Juan.
“The best way to celebrate JetBlue’s 16th anniversary on the Island is precisely by receiving the passengers that mark the total stabilisation of service of Puerto Rico’s main airline,” said Carla G. Campos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “The fact that JetBlue has been able to match seat capacity levels to pre-hurricane figures six months earlier than expected, shows that demand has increased and that we are on track for a historic recovery. Likewise, the creation of 50 new jobs as a result of the increase in operations is a testament to the trust and commitment that JetBlue has with Puerto Rico.”
