JetBlue Speeds Up Long Beach Plans
JetBlue Airways said it is accelerating plans to use its 21 remaining slots at Long Beach Airport, a move likely to stir the controversy over unused airline space at the facility.
The young discount carrier expects to start using the slots by October, rather than by next May as it originally planned. Its decision comes as American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, is pressuring Long Beach Airport officials to grant American more permanent slots.
The airport’s 41 total available slots are either being used or have been allocated to carriers, namely JetBlue, which has 27 total slots. JetBlue is using five of its slots and plans to start using a sixth June 8.
American, a unit of AMR Corp., complained that it was being denied more permanent spaces while JetBlue has so many unused slots at Long Beach. But American also said it doesn’t object to JetBlue being allowed to use its slots as long as American is awarded the space it wants as well.
JetBlue spokesman Gareth Edmondson-Jones said the carrier’s announcement wasn’t related to American’s protest, noting that JetBlue has launched service in other markets ahead of schedule.
