JetBlue Airways unlikely to resume New York JFK-Richmond service now

JetBlue Airways has disclosed that it does not harbor any plans at the moment to resume flights to Richmond from New York JFK. Allison Steinberg, JetBlue Airways spokeswoman, said that the airline doesn’t have any plans to resume service between New York JFK and Richmond at this time.

“However, JetBlue Airways would very much love to see increased support from the local people for its high-quality, low-fare flights to Boston, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando,” said Steinberg.

JetBlue Airways was forced to stop flying on the Richmond-New York JFK route in November 2012 because of the poor demand for its two nonstop flights operated daily. Besides, ticket prices to the New York market had also sharply increased then.

With JetBlue Airways unlikely to resume service anytime soon, Richmond International Airport will now see even much reduced service than ever before. US Airways is also expected to withdraw from the Richmond market leaving Delta Air Lines to be the only carrier flying out of Richmond.Kim Scheeler, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber, said that with Delta Air Lines remaining the only carrier and far lesser flights operating out of Richmond International Airport, the Richmond-New York JFK fares would probably go up even more. “Fewer seats mean more competition for the seats remaining, which means higher fares,” said Scheeler.

Expressing his opinion, Scheeler said that had JetBlue Airways continued to operate in the Richmond-New York market the service and price squeeze on local air travelers would have been eased.