JetBlue to consolidate number of airports it serves

JetBlue appears to be the first US airline to use new rules finalised Tuesday that allow airlines to cut back on flights. The DoT rules allow airlines serving multiple airports in the same geographical area to consolidate service at a single airport. That allows them to cut back on duplicative ground operations (such as customer service agents and ground crews) while remaining eligible for federal stimulus funds, which require an airline to provide at least one flight each week to the areas they currently serve<br/>To receive those funds, JetBlue will use that approach in five of its markets, including Washington and New York City. In the nation's capital, JetBlue will suspend operations at the Baltimore-Washington International, and fly only to and from Reagan National. JetBlue will use two New York-area airports -- Newark and JFK -- and suspend operations at LaGuardia, Westchester County, and Stewart. The airline said it is applying for waivers that would allow it to stop flying into other airports where there is little passenger traffic.<br/>