PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach Airport (LGB) will see changes in JetBlue’s flight schedule and will include two, new seasonal destinations. These changes will take effect in fall and winter 2018.

JetBlue’s revised schedule at LGB includes reduction in frequencies to select markets in the Bay Area, an additional daytime flight to Boston, starting September 5, and seasonal service to Bozeman, Montana and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Both of these markets will be served twice weekly beginning December 2018. The changes involving frequency reductions are expected to occur in fall 2018, and no existing destinations are planned for reduction.

“We are grateful for our long partnership with JetBlue at Long Beach Airport,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Despite their changes in service, the future looks great for the airport. We have strong interest to fill those slots from multiple carriers.”

JetBlue’s decision was not entirely a surprise to the City. A number of the markets served have presented a challenge to achieve or maintain profitability under present service models, and airlines are continually adjusting when needed to be as profitable as possible.

LGB has received a lot of interest in additional flight slots from other carriers and already has an established waiting list. LGB anticipates that the soon-to-be available slots will be filled quickly. Airlines currently in the waiting list include Delta, Southwest and Hawaiian, all of which have expressed interest in additional slots in Long Beach. This will allow the City to diversify its airport business model.

“The decision by JetBlue was not unexpected, and we respect decisions airlines make to ensure they are best positioned in a market, especially one that is competitive,” said Airport Director Jess L. Romo. “We see this as an opportunity to create a better balance among the air carriers serving Long Beach Airport and one that will maintain our existing service, and in fact will likely lead to new markets in the very near future.”

Allocation of flight slots that become available is managed through a process to ensure transparency. Slots that become available are offered to carriers who have previously requested placement on the list. In turn from top to bottom, incumbent carriers are offered one slot, and the process repeats until all slots are allocated or until demand is satisfied.  Currently LGB believes demand exceeds supply. As a result, available slots will quickly be filled.

About Long Beach Airport

Founded in 1923 as the first municipally-owned airport in California, Long Beach Airport (LGB) recently completed a revitalization to update its facilities. In 2012, a new 35,000-sq ft passenger concourse opened to the public and has since garnered extensive praise for its modern design and architecture, local eateries and easygoing travel experience. Recently, both Fodor’s Travel Guide and Yahoo Travel named LGB one of the top 10 terminals in the world, and Conde Nast Traveler readers voted LGB No. 4 in their annual Best Airports in America feature. Today, LGB hosts three airlines offering non-stop service to several U.S. cities, and serves over 2.6 million commercial airline passengers annually while supporting a healthy general aviation community with nearly 300,000 annual operations. The airport is also a source of substantial economic activity and employment, as well as a leader in maintaining a sustainable, environmentally-responsible operation. For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening, "Like" us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @LBAirport and Instagram @lgbairport.