JetBlue sees Q2 capacity down 15% compared to 2019

JetBlue Airways expects Q2 capacity to be 15% lower than during the same period in pre-coronavirus 2019, as the airline gears up for progressively higher demand amid rising vaccination rates. The New York based carrier says in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 9 June that it is seeing “continued improvement in bookings”, and now expects revenue during the quarter to be “between 30% and 33%” lower compared to 2019 figures. “This range compares to the company’s prior planning assumption of a revenue decline between 30% and 35%, year over two,” the airline says. “JetBlue continues to believe demand and revenue recovery may be non-linear and may not be able to predict changes to revenue due to additional Covid-19-related disruptions or other factors.” JetBlue’s Q2 costs will likely fall 7% compared to 2019, as compared to the previous assumption of an 8% decline, the airline adds. JetBlue adds to the chorous of airlines which have said in past weeks that domestic demand is rising faster than expected, with most planning to fly a full schedule during the busy sommer holiday travel season. Last month, JetBlue announced the launch of daily flights between New York’s John F Kennedy International airport and London Heathrow beginning on 11 August. A daily flight from JFK to London Gatwick will commence on 29 September, with service from Boston to London to begin next summer.<br/>