JetBlue ready to transfer Mexico City slot pair to United Airlines

JetBlue Airways is ready and willing to transfer one of its Mexico City slot pairs to United, as the New York-based carrier prepares to cease flying to the Mexican capital in January. JetBlue announced Oct. 23 its decision to halt daily flights to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to focus on more profitable operations elsewhere, pressured by a deteriorating competitive and demand environment in the region. In a Nov. 22 filing with the US DOT, United urged DOT to award it one of JetBlue’s divested MEX slot pairs so it can operate a third daily frequency from San Francisco using a 128-seat Airbus A319. JetBlue was awarded three MEX slot pairs in 2017 after the DOT forced Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico to divest a combined 24 slots as a condition for the two carriers to operate their cross-border joint venture. The DOT at the time insisted that only LCCs receive the divested slots to increase competition at slot-constrained Mexico City Airport.<br/>