Alerts Sign-up
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.
