JetBlue hits pause on plans for seasonal Halifax-Boston flight
A New York-based airline, JetBlue, has decided to put a pause on its plans for a daily seasonal flight between Halifax and Boston due to a lack of interest. The airline had initially announced this new route in January, but bookings did not meet expectations, leading to the decision to halt the service.
JetBlue stated that this pause is a necessary step to manage their business during a period of softer-than-expected travel demand and economic uncertainty. They expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to customers who had already booked travel and assured that full refunds will be provided. The airline also mentioned that they will continue to evaluate the possibility of launching the service to Halifax next summer.
The Halifax Stanfield International Airport, where the flight was supposed to operate, referred to the news as “disappointing.” A spokesperson for the airport, Jessica Pettigrew, explained that the current tariff environment and its impact on Canadian travel to the U.S. have made it challenging to introduce a new U.S. carrier to the market.
Despite this setback, Pettigrew highlighted that travel to and from the U.S. has seen an increase this year. Between January 1 and March 31, 91,462 passengers traveled between Halifax Stanfield and the U.S., marking a 55% rise compared to the same period last year and an 8% increase from 2019.
Moreover, statistics from Statistics Canada revealed a significant surge in passengers completing pre-boarding screening at the Halifax airport before heading to the U.S. The numbers showed a substantial increase in transborder passengers each month from January to March.
Additionally, Pettigrew noted that while some airlines have reduced their services, others like American Airlines have expanded their seat capacity on various routes from Halifax. American Airlines and United Airlines are set to launch new summer services to Chicago, indicating a positive trend in air travel demand.
Furthermore, airlines are also increasing their services to different parts of Canada from Halifax to accommodate the growing interest in travel. WestJet recently announced summer service between Halifax and Barcelona, along with new domestic markets in Saskatoon and Regina. Porter and Air Canada have also boosted their domestic capacity across their networks.
Overall, despite the temporary suspension of JetBlue’s planned flight, the air travel industry in Halifax is showing resilience and adaptability in response to changing travel patterns and demands. The airport remains optimistic about the future and is committed to providing passengers with a diverse range of travel options.
