Iberojet to Launch Barcelona to Honduras Service

Iberojet expands its service to Honduras with a new flight from Barcelona to Tegucigalpa, adding to their existing Madrid route.

Arya Karnik

Saturday, June 01, 2024 at 08:56 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Iberojet A350 (Photo: Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Iberojet, a Spanish-Portuguese charter airline, announced an addition of service to Honduras starting in October 2024. The carrier will add a once-weekly flight from Barcelona to Tegucigalpa to complement its current offering of a twice-weekly flight from Madrid to Tegucigalpa.

The carrier inaugurated its Madrid to Tegucigalpa service in December 2022, connecting the Spanish and Honduran capitals. The new flight will be served with the Airbus A350-900XWB, which is already deployed on the Madrid route.

This route will serve the new airport of Tegucigalpa, the Palmerola International Airport (XPL). The airport began operations in December 2021 as a replacement for Toncontin Airport.

The new flight to Barcelona will become the second European flight from the airport, alongside Madrid. From a wider lens, the only other airport in Honduras with scheduled European service is Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport near San Pedro Sula, which sees nonstop service to Madrid on Air Europa.

Arya Karnik

Ever since he was a kid, Arya has been interested in aviation. With his entire family overseas, he has taken many family trips worldwide to places like the United Kingdom and India. He lives in Colorado but attends The University of Alabama, studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. He hopes to obtain his PPL and eventually translate his engineering degree to working in operations at an airline.

Livery of the Week: Southwest’s Shamu Scheme

In 1988, Southwest Airlines, known for its line-up of special liveries, partnered with SeaWorld of Texas for a unique marketing campaign.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 04:50 PM ET

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Benjamin Pham

Southwest's Shamu-themed livery (Photo: aeroprints.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

In 1988, Southwest Airlines, known for its line-up of special liveries, partnered with SeaWorld of Texas for a unique marketing campaign. The result? Shamu One, a Boeing 737-300 transformed into a flying killer whale.

Shamu, SeaWorld’s iconic orca, became the star of the show. The aircraft donned a black and white paint scheme, mimicking Shamu’s markings. The whale’s signature smile graced the nose, and its splash was depicted on the tail.

Shamu One wasn’t alone for long. Soon, Shamu Two and Shamu Three joined the fleet, bringing the Shamu experience to more flyers. These special liveries served as flying billboards, promoting both Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld across the country. The partnership lasted for over two decades, with Shamu-themed aircraft becoming a familiar sight in the skies.

However, by 2014, public perception of SeaWorld shifted due to concerns about animal welfare. Southwest Airlines responded by phasing out the Shamu livery. The whales eventually returned to their standard blue and gold color scheme.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

American Resumes Flights to Haiti Amid Violent Civil Unrest

American Airlines resumed flights to Haiti’s Port-au-Prince International Airport on Thursday after a long hiatus due to civil unrest.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 04:08 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An American 737-800 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines resumed flights to Haiti’s Port-au-Prince airport on Thursday after a long hiatus due to civil unrest in the Caribbean country, and contingency plans are in place to move pilots and crew members to safety by armored vehicles if conditions worsen.

This comes after Haiti has undergone violent and deadly civil unrest since armed gangs organized a mass prison break in early March and later ousted the country’s former president. The capital’s airport was closed for nearly three months during the chaos.

Two American missionaries were killed during the violence on May 23. The victims were Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young married couple working for the ministry Missions for Haiti. Natalie is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker. Davy grew up in Haiti and was actively involved with his family’s ministry efforts there.

In a letter addressing union members on Thursday, Ed Sicher, president of the Allied Pilots Association (APA) which represents American Airlines pilots, said that he personally chose to fly to the country after it reopened to commercial air traffic on May 17 to observe the situation for crew members firsthand.

“I chose to fly the first flight (AA819) back to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) today after a long hiatus due to civil unrest,” Sicher stated in the letter. “My objectives were to observe firsthand what our crews can expect to encounter, verify that the security protocols and precautions in place are sufficient, and gauge whether it is reasonably safe. I would never condone flying to a location unless I’m personally comfortable doing so.”

Sicher said that Haitian national carrier Sunrise Airways has operated since May 20 without incident. He also said that U.S. authorities have also operated over 50 charter and cargo flights into and out of the airport during the past three weeks, also without incident.

“Still, I didn’t consider those facts alone to be adequate assurance that a U.S. flag-carrying airline can operate safely there,” Sicher said. “American Airlines Corporate Security – in concert with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. military – has enacted a series of security measures in preparation for the resumption of service.”

Sicher said that crews flying to Haiti will likely notice increased security at the airport. New guard towers have been built along the northern perimeter wall, and the U.S. military is operating several C-17 flights in and out of the airport daily on the eastern side of the field. He notes that many squatter houses along the northern perimeter where gangs had taken up residence have been destroyed.

“U.S. security forces are aiding the Haitian National Police to secure the perimeter and ensure the roads between Port-au-Prince and the airport are safe,” Sicher continued. “I have emphasized that we must collectively do everything in our power to avoid stranding crews in Haiti. American Airlines has established contingency plans addressing maintenance issues, [other airline] transport, rescue flights, and as a last resort, secure transportation in armored vehicles to secure lodging where the U.S. military and UN forces stay.”

Additionally, Sicher added that the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has a Regional Security Office located near the airport. The embassy has expedited the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission, which is located on the east side of the airfield.

“I personally worked with some of these same individuals when I served in the military and participated in counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and consider them much mor trustworthy than the Haitian National Police,” Sicher said.

American Airlines crew members going to Haiti are advised by Sicher to stay focused and alert. He said that APA will continue to monitor the situation daily and inform its members if conditions worsen.

The Fort Worth-based carrier is the only major U.S. airline to serve Port-au-Prince. JetBlue and Spirit also halted their services to the region.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Canadian Competition Bureau Commences Study on Airline Industry

The independent Canadian law enforcement agency regulating competition within the country is undertaking a ‘market study’ on the airline industry.

John Flett

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 03:19 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Tail of an Air North 737-500 in Yellowknife, N.W.T. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

The independent Canadian law enforcement agency regulating competition within the country, Competition Bureau Canada, is undertaking a ‘market study’ on the airline industry. According to the bureau, there will be a particular focus on domestic air passenger services, seeking to improve competition to benefit passengers and those who operate and work within the sector.

The scope of the study will encompass examining three key topics: the state of competition in Canada’s airline industry; barriers to entry and expansion; and impediments to informed customer choice. Out of scope will be the examination of any specific allegations of wrongdoing. However, the Bureau states that should it ‘uncover any evidence during the study that the Competition Act has been contravened, it will investigate and take appropriate action.’

The Canadian domestic air travel market is notoriously challenging given the country’s geographic size. Flight time from Vancouver, British Columbia in the west to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador in the east is approximately six hours over a distance equivalent to 3,121 miles.

Canada’s 40 million citizens are mainly concentrated in a few key cities across six time zones with only six Canadian cities having a population greater than one million. The U.S. by comparison covers a marginally smaller land area but boasts a population of 333 million with multiple metropolitan areas.

Part of the bureau’s study into domestic air travel will need to be mindful of regional variations in operating air services. To this end, representatives of two air operators to northern Canada spoke to the government’s standing committee on transport, infrastructure, and communities on Thursday. The presidents of Canadian North and Air North were detailing how their airlines’ operation costs could be burdened by some of the federal regulations pertaining to the industry, as opposed to other operators in the country.

Yahoo! News reported the president and chief executive officer of Canadian North, Shelly De Caria, stating: “We operate in a very unique environment, and the regulatory policies that we have in place do not contribute to the success that we have.” De Caria noted adverse weather’s disproportionate impact on the airline’s operations. Also, some routes to smaller communities ‘aren’t as profitable as other routes — and major airlines like Air Canada and WestJet aren’t interested in serving those communities.”

The views of these airlines will no doubt be submitted to the Competition Bureau Canada market study, alongside those of other aviation interests and the general public. Final terms of reference for the market study are scheduled to be published in July with written submissions from the public accepted up until August. The final report is expected to be published in June or July 2025 after stakeholder engagement and analysis of potential solutions and recommendations.

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

Qantas, Perth Airport Sign Historic Agreement to Create Major Hub

Qantas and Perth Airport announced a landmark 12-year agreement on Friday, unlocking a multi-billion-dollar investment in infrastructure.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:53 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Qantas 787 Dreamliner lifting out of Paine Field in Washington. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Qantas and Perth Airport announced a landmark 12-year agreement on Friday, unlocking a multi-billion-dollar investment in infrastructure and plans to bolster Australia’s tourism industry. This agreement represents the largest airport infrastructure deal in Qantas’ history and the largest private infrastructure development ever undertaken in Perth, the airline noted in a press release.

Perth Airport Transformation

Perth Airport will invest around $3 billion in new terminal facilities and a new parallel runway, creating a larger hub in Western Australia. This investment is part of a larger $5 billion capital investment program that includes multi-story parking garages, major roadworks, and the airport’s first hotel.

Qantas and its Jetstar subsidiary will relocate all services to a new terminal in the Airport Central precinct. This move, along with Qantas’ investment in new aircraft, aims to turn Perth into a major domestic and international hub for the airlines. Combined, Qantas and Jetstar plan to add 4.4 million seats to and from Perth annually by 2031.

Enhanced Connectivity

According to the airline, the new terminal will offer a world-leading travel experience with seamless connections and state-of-the-art check-in facilities. Qantas will collaborate with Perth Airport to develop a multi-lounge precinct with a new design and upgraded dining and wellness options.

“Not only will it allow us to bring hundreds of thousands more travelers to and through Western Australia each year, it will also make it easier for overseas tourists to connect to more destinations across Australia,” Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said in a news release.

In addition, Perth Airport will invest in upgrading Terminals 3 and 4 to create additional capacity while the new terminal is built. These upgrades will allow Qantas to add new services and destinations from Perth, including Auckland and Johannesburg, starting from mid-2025.

Ryan Ewing

China Eastern’s Fleet Expansion: The Arrival of Its Sixth COMAC C919

On May 28, China Eastern officially received its sixth COMAC C919 from the manufacturer, registration number B-919G, with more expected in the near-term.

Lei Yan

Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 03:13 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A C919 parked at Chengdu's Tianfu International Airport | (Photo: AirlineGeeks Lei Yan)

On May 28, China Eastern officially received its sixth COMAC C919 from the manufacturer, registration number B-919G. The carrier ferried the jet from Shanghai’s Pudong Airport to Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport, located on the other side of the city. This C919 is the first of the 100 jet orders from China Eastern to COMAC, and the delivery date was on the first anniversary of C919’s commencement of commercial service.

The newly arrived COMAC C919 is set to commence commercial operations on May 30. It will serve the route between Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport and Beijing’s Daxing International Airport. China Eastern’s C919 fleet also serves Chengdu and Xi’an.

Future Deliveries

According to the new release by COMAC, the seventh C919 is already in the final stage of testing and will be delivered to China Eastern soon. Based on the annual reports of Air China and China Southern, both state-owned airlines will receive their C919s this year. We can speculate that the eighth C919 may be its first delivery to Air China or China Southern.

Where Is the C919 Going to Fly Next?

China Eastern is flying a COMAC C919 charter flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai on June 1 for a Hong Kong Youth Camp. This charter flight will be the first C919 commercial flight outside of Mainland China.

As the C919 fleet grows, China Eastern may likely expand its C919 services to more cities. Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the Guangdong province will likely be the candidates for potential C919 destinations, as China Southern, the upcoming operator of the jet, will operate its new aircraft from the carrier’s bases in the Southern province of China, Guangdong. Service there will help local airports to gain experience with the new jet.

On the international front, we currently have no confirmation on any international routes that COMAC’s C919 may serve, as its certification with EASA and the FAA is still ongoing. However, COMAC has flown the prototype jet to Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam for demonstrations.

Lei Yan

Lei is from Inner Mongolia, China, and now lives in Guangzhou. He grew up in an aviation family, where his passion began. During his time at Penn State University, he studied Industrial Engineering specializing in operations research, and he graduated with an honor’s thesis on airport gate assignment optimization. Now, he is a Purchasing Manager with Procter & Gamble. In his free time, he enjoys flying, reading, and wandering around the city.

Emirates Integrates New Turbulence Monitoring Solution

By integrating the IATA Turbulence Aware Platform with Lido mPilot, a mobile navigation solution, Emirates empowers pilots with real-time turbulence data.

Tolga Karadeniz

Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 11:51 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Emirates 777-300ER in Dusseldorf (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Emirates has announced its participation in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Turbulence Aware Platform. This move positions Emirates as the first airline to integrate the platform with Lido mPilot, a mobile navigation solution from Lufthansa Systems.

By combining the vast turbulence data pool of the IATA platform with Lido mPilot’s advanced navigation functionalities, pilots will gain access to accurate, up-to-the-minute turbulence information. This empowers them to plot optimal flight paths, minimizing turbulence exposure and enhancing overall flight efficiency.

Strengthening Safety Standards

The airline says its dedication to safety extends beyond mere participation. It has equipped over 140 aircraft with the necessary software to contribute valuable turbulence data to the platform automatically. This data will be anonymized and integrated with existing data, further enriching the platform’s resources. Additionally, all new Emirates aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 family, will be prepped to contribute data, bolstering the platform’s global reach.

“Actively participating in IATA’s Turbulence Aware Platform and equipping our pilots with the latest technologies like Lido mPilot underscores our unwavering commitment to safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort,” stated Captain Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Emirates, in a press release. “Furthermore, contributing data to the platform strengthens industry knowledge, allowing for the development of even more effective turbulence management strategies.”

Collaboration for Industry-Wide Benefits

Industry leaders are applauding this innovative partnership. “Obtaining accurate and real-time turbulence data is crucial for mitigating its adverse effects on air travel,” said Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President of Commercial Products and Services at IATA. “The cooperation between IATA Turbulence Aware, Emirates, and Lufthansa Systems will significantly improve the quality and quantity of real-time data available, ultimately leading to smoother and safer air travel for all.”

Andreas Medlhammer, Product Owner of Pilot Charting Apps at Lufthansa Systems, further emphasized the benefits. “By integrating IATA Turbulence Aware data into Lido mPilot, Emirates grants pilots access to comprehensive real-time turbulence information. This empowers them to make informed decisions for optimal flight path selection and fuel efficiency, ultimately contributing to increased operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.”

Adopting the new system comes on the heels of a recent incident where a passenger died following severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Congress Shells Out Millions to Aid Pilot Shortage

This additional funding is part of the FAA's Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, which provides support to aviation-related education institutions.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 09:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Endeavor Air CRJ-700 aircraft at New York's LaGuardia airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Congress will distribute $80 million over the next four years to assist with pilot workforce development. These funds – included as part of the recent FAA Reauthorization Act – represent a substantial increase from the $25 million allocated in 2018.

This additional funding is part of the FAA’s Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, which provides support to aviation-related education programs. The $80 million in pilot development grants is part of a broader $240 million pool intended to also recruit aircraft mechanics and aviation manufacturing workers.

According to Yahoo Finance, an early version of the bill included $120 million in total funding, but that number was doubled with an amendment introduced by Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. “This is a long-term issue,” he said during an interview.

‘The Pilot Shortage Myth’

The roughly $55 million in new funding comes as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – the world’s largest pilots union representing over 77,000 aviators – says the pilot shortage “isn’t real.” The labor group even goes as far as saying that the shortage is a so-called “myth,” instead pointing fingers at airline leadership.

“So, although we don’t have a pilot shortage, we do have a shortage of airline executives willing to stand by their business decisions to cut air service and be upfront about their intentions to skirt safety rules and hire inexperienced workers for less pay,” ALPA says on its website.

Despite the rhetoric, regional carriers say they aren’t quite out of the pilot supply woods yet with some offering lucrative bonuses for direct-entry captains. In a recent presentation, the Regional Airline Association (RAA) – a trade group – said, “We can’t believe we have to say this, but an abrupt, temporary hiring disruption — driven entirely by an abrupt aircraft delivery disruption — is not the same thing as fixing the pilot shortage.”

Some in Washington also believe the so-called pilot shortage isn’t over. During a press briefing at Austin’s Bergstrom airport on Tuesday, Texas Senator and Senate commerce committee ranking member Ted Cruz said he ‘absolutely’ still believes there’s a shortage, adding that Congress should have done more.

“So this bill…takes modest steps in the direction of addressing the pilot shortage, but I wish we had been able to take more, and I’m going to continue working to take even bolder steps,” he added.

Cruz strongly supported raising the airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67, which failed after a narrow party-line vote. ALPA and other pilot unions opposed the increase.

“The pilots union has an interesting position on this. It’s one of the very rare circumstances I know of where a union picked some members over other members,” Cruz said at the briefing.

Diversity Push

With the bill now passed, the FAA will be tasked with distributing the funding as grants to flight schools and other institutions. Sen. Warnock said he pushed to include provisions in the bill to distribute some of the funding to ‘underrepresented populations’ in the aviation sector.

“I’m making the business case for diversity,” Warnock told Yahoo Finance. “It’s in our enlightened self-interest to find that talent and create a robust pipeline so that they can become pilots.”

Ryan Ewing

Airbus A319, King Air Involved in Washington-DCA Close Call

The Boston-bound A319 was forced to reject its takeoff at over 80 knots as the King Air was landing on the intersecting runway.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 08:42 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | TJ Brown)

An American Airbus A319 and a King Air aircraft – registered as N250AA – were both involved in a Wednesday morning incident at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA). As first reported by AvHerald, the Boston-bound A319 was forced to reject its takeoff at over 80 knots as the King Air was landing on an intersecting runway.

The Airbus was operating flight AA2134 at the time and was cleared for takeoff on Runway 1 while the King Air was landing on Runway 33. According to air traffic control audio, the tower controlled canceled flight 2134’s takeoff clearance after noting the conflict.

The landing King Air was instructed to go around, but said they were unable due to already being on the ground. A spokesperson from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the agency is investigating the incident.

Air traffic control audio from the incident can be heard courtesy of LiveATC:

“An air traffic controller cancelled the takeoff clearance for American Airlines Flight 2134 because another aircraft was cleared to land on an intersecting runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The event occurred around 10:30 am local time on Wednesday, May 29,” the agency said.

This close call follows a string of similar incidents at DCA, including last month when a Southwest 737 MAX was told to cross a runway with a JetBlue E190 already on its takeoff roll. The JetBlue flight was forced to reject the takeoff at approximately 30 knots. Last year, a Republic Airways Embraer jet crossed in front of a departing United aircraft at the airport.

Runway 1/19 at DCA is the nation’s busiest single runway with 819 average daily scheduled operations, per data from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

After the incident, flight 2134 returned to the gate for a maintenance inspection. It departed just over four hours later.

Ryan Ewing

JetBlue to Open New San Juan Crew Base

JetBlue announced plans to open a new crew base for both pilots and flight attendants in San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 05:51 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A JetBlue Airbus A320 preparing for departure. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

JetBlue announced plans to open a new crew base for both pilots and flight attendants in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The new base is expected to open by the end of 2024 and create over 400 jobs in San Juan by 2025, according to the carrier.

The New York-based airline recently expanded service from San Juan to more destinations, including Providence, Westchester, and Cancun. Carrying an average of 40 daily flights scheduled in San Juan later this year, JetBlue is the airport’s largest operator.

“We’re so excited to base hundreds more crewmembers right here in San Juan, where we are proud to be the largest airline with plans to grow even more,” said Warren Christie, JetBlue’s chief operating officer, in a press release. “The new crew base will support our operation as we grow and benefit the local economy in a place we are proud to call home.”

The new crew base will station up to 120 pilots and 325 inflight crew members in San Juan, which the airline says will improve its service and operations throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

“This great announcement from JetBlue is a testament to the potential of our Island and the growth we have had in the tourism sector over the past three years,” added Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi.

The carrier has a long history in the U.S. territory that spans over two decades. In 2020, JetBlue opened a maintenance base in San Juan.

Earlier this year, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier announced that it too would open a San Juan crew base. With plans for 90 pilots and 200 flight attendants, Frontier’s new domicile is set to open next month.

Joining San Juan, JetBlue also has crew bases in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Orlando, and Los Angeles.

Ryan Ewing