JetBlue Airways is set to reinstate its nonstop flights between Austin and Fort Lauderdale starting November 20, utilizing the Airbus A320 aircraft. This route was previously suspended in May 2024 as part of a broader network realignment due to underperformance. The decision is part of JetBlue's efforts to strengthen operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a key focus city for the airline.
The twice-daily service will feature flights departing from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 6:20 AM and 2:05 PM, while return flights from Fort Lauderdale are scheduled for 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The move comes after JetBlue faced challenges with limited aircraft availability due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine inspections, which grounded part of its fleet.
JetBlue's passenger traffic in Austin has declined significantly since 2019, dropping from nearly 600,000 passengers to under 200,000 by 2024. The airline's market share at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport also decreased from about 3.3% in 2019 to just 0.9% by last year.