Jetblue and united airlines clash over latest dot dispute

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Jetblue and united airlines clash over latest dot dispute

Policy

James Pearson Route Development Journalist | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Jul 11, 2024

In a recent filing, JetBlue contended that United Airlines' proposed services from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) do not meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements. On the same day, United Airlines responded with its own filing, accusing JetBlue of hypocrisy for failing to submit timetables for its proposed services from DCA to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This dispute follows previous disagreements over an Essential Air Service (EAS) contract at Presque Isle Northern Maine Airport (PQI).

JetBlue's initial filing on July 10 stated that United Airlines applied to operate flights from DCA to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), departing at 6:30 local time. JetBlue cited a DOT notice indicating that operations at DCA cannot increase by more than five in any one-hour period between 07:00 and 21:59. Additionally, no exemptions are allowed for operations between 22:00 and 7:00. Consequently, JetBlue argued there was “no permissible avenue for DOT to grant United’s primary application.”

JetBlue also noted that while United Airlines intended to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to switch slots from its pool for a 6:30 departure, such substitutions were not permitted. "The Congressional prohibition on beyond-perimeter flights before 7:00 a.m. is ironclad," JetBlue stated.

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United Airlines countered by requesting the DOT dismiss JetBlue's motion as an attempt to undermine its proposal “on an imaginary technicality.” The airline argued that JetBlue had failed to cite any case where the DOT dismissed a single proposal due to express authority violations.

United Airlines highlighted it had a beyond-perimeter slot departing at 6:00 and deemed requesting a 6:30 departure reasonable. The airline emphasized flexibility in working with the FAA and noted that other airlines proposing flights during fully allocated hourly periods would face similar scrutiny if JetBlue's objections were entertained.

Furthermore, United pointed out flaws in JetBlue’s application for flights from DCA to LAX due to missing flight timings, suggesting this could lead the DOT to disqualify JetBlue’s application based on technicalities.

This dispute echoes previous tensions when United criticized the DOT's decision awarding EAS flights from PQI to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to JetBlue. United claimed that JetBlue did not meet the requirement for at least 12 weekly flights from PQI and projected an unreasonable profit margin of 44% on the route.