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Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: JetBlue Changes at Long Beach Airport


The City of Long Beach

Long Beach Airport (LGB) will see changes in JetBlue's flight schedule and will include two, new seasonal destinations. These changes will take place in Fall and Winter.

Schedule Changes and New Routes at Long Beach Airport Announced by JetBlue

Strong Interest in New Open Slots from Multiple Carriers

Long Beach Airport (LGB) will see changes in JetBlue’s flight schedule and will include two, new seasonal destinations. These changes will take effect in fall and winter 2018.

JetBlue’s revised schedule at LGB includes reduction in frequencies to select markets in the Bay Area, an additional daytime flight to Boston, starting September 5, and seasonal service to Bozeman, Montana and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Both of these markets will be served twice weekly beginning December 2018. The changes involving frequency reductions are expected to occur in fall 2018, and no existing destinations are planned for reduction.

“We are grateful for our long partnership with JetBlue at Long Beach Airport,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Despite their changes in service, the future looks great for the airport. We have strong interest to fill those slots from multiple carriers.”

JetBlue’s decision was not entirely a surprise to the City. A number of the markets served have presented a challenge to achieve or maintain profitability under present service models, and airlines are continually adjusting when needed to be as profitable as possible.

LGB has received a lot of interest in additional flight slots from other carriers and already has an established waiting list. LGB anticipates that the soon-to-be available slots will be filled quickly. Airlines currently in the waiting list include Delta, Southwest and Hawaiian, all of which have expressed interest in additional slots in Long Beach. This will allow the City to diversify its airport business model.

“The decision by JetBlue was not unexpected, and we respect decisions airlines make to ensure they are best positioned in a market, especially one that is competitive,” said Airport Director Jess L. Romo. “We see this as an opportunity to create a better balance among the air carriers serving Long Beach Airport and one that will maintain our existing service, and in fact will likely lead to new markets in the very near future.”

Allocation of flight slots that become available is managed through a process to ensure transparency. Slots that become available are offered to carriers who have previously requested placement on the list. In turn from top to bottom, incumbent carriers are offered one slot, and the process repeats until all slots are allocated or until demand is satisfied. Currently LGB believes demand exceeds supply. As a result, available slots will quickly be filled.


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