An article summarized by CNBC:
JetBlue announced it will close its flight attendant base at Newark Liberty International Airport and its tech operations bases at Newark and New York’s LaGuardia Airport this fall as part of a broader cost-cutting effort. The airline said no employees will lose their jobs, with affected staff able to transfer or bid for positions at other bases.
The move comes as JetBlue shifts resources toward Florida, particularly Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where it plans to expand service. The airline will end seasonal flights from Newark to Los Angeles and Las Vegas while adding more premium Mint-equipped flights from Fort Lauderdale to destinations including San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
JetBlue has spent years reducing unprofitable routes and lowering costs as it works to return to consistent profitability, having not posted a profitable quarter in two years. Executives have emphasized Fort Lauderdale as a key growth market, especially after the collapse of rival airline Spirit Airlines, while also criticizing the high operating costs at airports such as LaGuardia.
