JetBlue stops Worcester-to-Florida flights, requests to cease remaining JFK flights
Photo | Grant Welker
A JetBlue airplane on the Worcester Regional Airport tarmac
JetBlue Airways has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to temporarily suspend service at Worcester Regional Airport in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to a Wednesday filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
JetBlue was flying regular nonstop flights out of Worcester to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. According to the filing, JetBlue has already stopped the flights to the two Florida cities, and the flights to JFK are booked to 15% capacity.
"Additionally, JetBlue’s largest domestic operation is at BOS (Boston), only 55 miles away from ORH (Worcester). ORH is also closer to BOS than PVD (Providence), which is deemed to be a co-terminal airport with BOS in the order," the airline said in the filing.
Without JetBlue flying out of Worcester, the only regular flights from the Central Massachusetts airport are Delta Air Lines' nonstop to Detroit and American Airlines' nonstop to Philadelphia.
JetBlue underscored major financial losses as the crux of its request. Currently, the airline wrote, JetBlue is bringing in about $1 million in revenue a day. Last year at about this time, it brought in $22 million a day, per the filing.
"JetBlue, like all other U.S. airlines, is facing a liquidity crisis based on the current, near total lack of demand," the airline said in the filing. "While the Payroll Support program under the CARES Act may ease this shortfall, it will only delay the crisis through Sept. 30, 2020, unless demand for travel significantly increases."
As it moves to consolidate regionally, the airline has already temporarily suspended service at eight airports, including LaGuardia Airport in New York City, T.F. Green International Airport in Providence and Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, per the filing. Wednesday's request would add 11 more to the list, including Worcester.
The airline contended a temporary suspension would help keep JetBlue afloat financially, in the longterm.
"JetBlue is burning through its pre-crisis strong balance sheet at a rate that is simply not sustainable," the airline wrote.
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