Passengers Flying JetBlue Airways Make Buffalo-to-New York Circuit Its Top Route ; 10 Daily Round Trips Most in Its Network

By Sharon Linstedt

Buffalo is No. 1 for JetBlue Airways.

The airline announced Wednesday that Buffalo tops its flight counts, with 10 round trips a day — the most in its 53-city network. A daily average of 2,068 travelers flies from Buffalo to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, the most on any route in its system.

“In the seven years since we introduced low fares to the Buffalo Niagara International airport, travelers from across Western New York and Southern Ontario have responded by embracing JetBlue’s unique brand of service and our friendly crew members,” JetBlue Chief Executive Officer Dave Barger said.

Since JetBlue’s arrival at the Buffalo airport in 2000, New York’s JFK airport has become the No. 1 destination for outbound Buffalo fliers. JFK had previously ranked 32nd.

Buffalo has been a key market for JetBlue from the airline’s inception. JetBlue’s inaugural flight was between JFK and the Buffalo airport.

NFTA spokesman C. Douglas Hartmayer said JetBlue provides a critical link in regional air service.

“From day one, JetBlue has been a model of success in Buffalo. The fact they have grown from three daily flights to 10 speaks volumes of their significance to our airport and our regional market,” Hartmayer said.

Since JetBlue began service here on Feb. 12, 2000, the first flight by the then-fledgling airline, passenger volume on the Buffalo/JFK route has increased by 220 percent.

The low-cost airline is now the No. 3 airline in the Buffalo market, behind No. 1 Southwest Airlines and No. 2 US Airways.

e-mail: slinstedt@buffnews.com

Originally published by NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER.

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