JetBlue slashes April flying 70%; Deeper cuts likely in New York

JetBlue Airways Corp. expects to slash flights 70% next month and deeper cuts are likely in the carrier’s home base in New York, as the spread of coronavirus erases travel demand.

Daily departures will fall to 300 from about 1,000, JetBlue said in an email Tuesday. Flights leaving New York-area airports are slated to tumble to 60 but may dip to as few as 40, which would amount to an 80% reduction.

“With coronavirus driving demand for air travel to historic lows across the globe, we expect to make further reductions on a daily basis throughout April,” the airline said.

JetBlue is deepening cuts to its April schedule as bookings dry up and the U.S. government rushes to complete rules for distributing $50 billion in aid to passenger airlines. Governments are urging people to stay home to slow the spread of the virus and in some cases stepping up travel restrictions.

The New York-area cuts include flights at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International, as well as Newark Liberty International in New Jersey and Westchester County Airport near White Plains, New York. JetBlue previously said it would drop overall flying capacity by 40% in April and May.