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.
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