JetBlue to cut 10% of NYC summer departures on FAA snarls

JetBlue Airways criticized federal officials as the carrier said a shortage of air-traffic controllers would force it to cut 10% of its departures from the New York City area during the busy summer travel season. The pullback will have a “pretty significant financial impact” on JetBlue in the second and possibly third quarters, President Joanna Geraghty said on a conference call Tuesday to discuss earnings results. The company warned last month of possible flight cuts after the US FAA asked airlines to trim flying at some of the nation’s busiest airports. “We’re obviously very concerned about New York City for the summer,” Geraghty said. “The FAA continues to be significantly understaffed. This is a continuing issue and frankly it’s only getting worse this summer.” The reductions take effect in June at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports in New York, and at Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, said a spokesman for JetBlue. The airline, which is based in Long Island City, New York, didn’t specify how it could affect earnings, but said the effect on flying capacity and revenue would be less than the 10% cut in departures. The issue threatens to bring a repeat of last summer’s woes, when travelers suffered through flight delays and cancellations as high demand filled aircraft. About 25% of flights by major US carriers were delayed last summer for an average 49 minutes, and another 1.9% were canceled, according to data from FlightAware. <br/>