February 9, 2012

JAXUSA Partnership, a division of the JAX Chamber, Jacksonville Aviation Authority and JetBlue Airways hosted a reception with regional business leaders yesterday to promote the airline’s six years of service at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).

“We greatly appreciate the air service JetBlue provides from Jacksonville to key business markets,” said Steve Grossman, CEO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. “It’s now up to our community to support service from Jacksonville International Airport to ensure the continued success of current flights, expand existing service and attract new destinations.”

“JetBlue is proud to provide low-fare, high-value air service from Jacksonville to Boston, New York and San Juan,” said JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and partnerships, Scott Laurence. “As a destination, JAX has been a successful market for JetBlue. To ensure our new routes to Boston and the Caribbean continue to thrive, we are seeking continued support from the community. Our goal is to remain the carrier of choice for both business and leisure travel.”

JetBlue initiated service at JAX in June of 2006 with three daily flights to its home base at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and in 2008 launched its first direct daily service to Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS). In May of 2011, the value airline expanded its schedule to Boston by adding a second daily flight, in addition to launching Jacksonville’s only nonstop service to the Caribbean with direct flights to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Much of the JAX region’s economic success can be contributed to our airport, said Robert Hill, chair of JAXUSA Partnership and CEO of Acosta. “Many companies choose to locate or expand in a region where quality air service is available. We are thrilled to celebrate JetBlue’s six years of service in Jacksonville and fortunate to enjoy the most recently-added destinations, Boston and Puerto Rico.”

In the third quarter of 2011, the market size to San Juan increased more than 400 percent year-over-year, while fares were cut by 37 percent over the same period.

“Communities across the country are competing for expanded service,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “JetBlue’s decision to expand in our market is evidence of our growing and diverse economy. Staying connected in the global market place is essential as companies grow and do more business in Northeast Florida.”


Source: http://fcnews.tv/xljzmi