DOT rejects Spirit, JetBlue requests for air service exemptions
The US Department of Transportation has knocked back most requests from Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways for exemptions to minimum service rules on some routes.
The airline wanted to halt more routes but one of the conditions of receiving federal aid is maintaining a minimum number of domestic routes.
Spirit’s request to curtail service at 26 airports was denied in all but one case.
The DOT agreed to Spirit cutting flights to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico as the FAA has closed the airport.
JetBlue was also granted an exemption to end flights to Aguadilla, as well as Mercedita Ponce International Airport in Puerto Rico.
All Puerto Rico air traffic is now funneled through San Juan International Airport.
However, JetBlue was denied for nine other routes it hoped to suspend.
"Spirit has not persuaded the department that we must strike a different balance with respect to the remaining covered points in Spirit’s request," the DOT said in a ruling.
The DOT also rejected JetBlue’s requests on similar grounds.
In Spirit’s request for exemptions it said being forced to fly the routes ‘will rapidly exhaust Spirit’s financial resources.’
It is currently in ‘survival mode,’ it claims.
Likewise, JetBlue said ‘a rigid interpretation of the service obligation will only threaten to unnecessarily diminish JetBlue’s liquidity.’
The DOT has yet to rule on minimum service exemptions proposed by other airlines, including Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent