JetBlue’s CEO said it will cut flights to and from New York this summer

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By Daniela Genovese, Fox Business

March 30, 2023 | 4:12 a.m

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes warned Wednesday that the discount airline will have to cut flights to and from the New York area this summer due to a major shortage of air traffic controllers.

During a discussion at the Economic Club of New York in New York City, Hayes said the staffing at the air traffic control center that handles all incoming, outgoing and through New York airspace is only 54% of what is needed.

This compares to the national average of 81%, Hayes continued.

“Even though we’re prepared, we’ve got planes, we’ve hired pilots … JetBlue and other airlines will have to cut flights to and from New York this summer in order to cope,” Hayes said.

The FAA has warned that if the industry does not cut flights in the region, delays will be 45% worse than last summer, Hayes said.

To put that in perspective, about 350 flights were delayed in the New York area each day last summer, in part, due to staffing problems with air traffic control, Hayes said, citing FAA data.

The FAA did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

“Imagine being 45% worse,” Hayes said. “this is not possible”.

Last week, the FAA said it “continues to reduce the air traffic controller training backlog at many of the FAA’s air traffic facilities, yet staffing levels at the New York Radar Approach Control Terminal (N90) remain below Objectives”.

However, the agency said it is taking “several steps to keep air travel to and from New York City this summer safe and smooth.”

In an effort to mitigate disruptions, the agency said it would “give airlines flexibility regarding slot usage requirements.” In return, the FAA expects airlines to take measures to minimize the impacts on passengers, including operating larger planes to carry more passengers and making sure that passengers are fully informed of any potential disruptions.

Hayes said this affects JetBlue more than its competitors because the majority of its flights, roughly 60%, go in and out of the New York area each day.

The news also comes after the New York-based airline invested tens of millions of dollars to increase hiring.

Hayes said JetBlue “has hired more people than I’ve ever hired,” in order to prepare for the busy summer travel season and to help New York continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

This, however, he said, “would be an important step backwards in our ability to do this.”

10% [of flights] “We’re going to let go of the business pretty much offsetting the growth that was set to happen,” Hayes said.

The CEO also noted that this doesn’t just affect New York.

For example, JetBlue is Boston’s largest airline, but every flight south passes through central New York and will also be “subject to similar challenges,” Hayes said.

The CEO added that he wouldn’t be surprised if other airlines followed suit.

JetBlue predicted in January that 2023 revenue would grow in the “high single digits to low double digits” and available seat miles (ASM) would increase 5.5% to 8.5%.