JetBlue plans Florida, New York growth, more non-flight services

JetBlue Airways stuck in its third straight year lagging the airline industry’s share returns, is looking to boost earnings by expanding in 3 key cities and selling more travel services such as car rentals and hotels. The carrier will shift more flights to Boston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and add more seats at New York JFK. It will step up efforts to improve on-time performance, which also trails the industry, while adding more seats on some planes. JetBlue is also banking on a renegotiated maintenance contract to help lower costs and improve margins. The plan, outlined Tuesday, represents a new push by the carrier to broaden revenue sources while trying to contain rising costs from pricier fuel and new and pending labour contracts. The initiatives should result in earnings per share of as much as $3 in 2020, the company said. <br/>