New focus city at Orlando International Airport announced by JetBlue

Airline Industry Information,  March 20, 2008  

Tags: JetBlue Airways Corp.

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AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is to become the seventh focus city for JetBlue Airways (NasdaqGS:JBLU).

The airline said that it plans to increase the number of flights and destinations it offers from the airport; expand into as many as 10 gates in Airside 1; develop a 292-room JetBlue Crew Lodge; and establish a local crew base for JetBlue's pilots and inflight crewmembers.

JetBlue said that it has entered into an agreement with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to lease the long-term use of up to 10 gates in Orlando International Airport's Airside 1. The airline's domestic flights currently operate from six gates in Airside 2, with international flights operating from Airside 4.

The carrier's new crew base for its pilots and inflight crewmembers begins on 1 June, with construction on a 292-suite JetBlue Crew Lodge beginning in September. The Lodge will be managed by InterContinental Hotels Group and feature 292 guest suites, a 1,000 square-foot fitness centre, quiet study rooms, meeting rooms and e-library capabilities.

In addition JetBlue said that it has received tentative approval from the US Department of Transportation to offer Orlando's only service to South America, with daily nonstop service to Bogota, Colombia, beginning later in 2008.

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