Daytona Beach, FL - JetBlue's decision to end service at Daytona Beach International Airport this coming January, according to their website, is part of a system-wide reallocation and an effort to support new city and multi-route expansions.
Airport Director Rick Karl said "Obviously, we are disappointed with JetBlue's announcement to exit the market. However, we realize airlines have difficult decisions to make." Karl also said, "It's unfortunate Daytona Beach was part of a system-wide reallocation strategy but we understand JetBlue's need to reduce expenses and reallocate resources to their focus cities."
DBIA Business Development Director Jay Cassens said he could see the signs that there might be changes with JetBlue. He said their revenue dropped, fuel prices spiked and inflight crews unionized. Cassens said that the changes could prove to shareholders and corporate that route performance would improve and what it comes down to is revenue.
Cassens did say the other airlines at DAB, Delta and American, have seen increases in passenger traffic with American seeing 30 percent growth year over year. He said he does expect next year's number to decrease because JetBlue had about 50 percent of the market share. Cassens also said that JetBlue could come back. He said they have left other markets and have gone back to at least three of them.
JetBlue began non-stop, daily service on January 8, 2016, and Karl said the airport has seen record passenger traffic. Service will end exactly three years to the day from when it began, on January 8, 2019.
The airline is reducing service in other Florida markets, including Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando International.
