A JetBlue Embraer 190 lands at Fort Lauderdale this past February. Photo: Andrew Thon - OPShots Contributor
JetBlue Airways is adding flights to the Caribbean and Latin America from South Florida, hoping to cash in on South Floridians’ roots in those areas.
The New York-based airline operates hundreds of flights across the United States and is now a leading carrier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Palm Beach International airports.
Experts say JetBlue is seeking more lucrative pastures.
Among the new routes are Fort Lauderdale to Kingston, Jamaica, starting April 30, Fort Lauderdale to Bogota, Colombia, May 7, and West Palm Beach to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning May 15.
The Caribbean and Latin America are appealing to low-cost carriers because of the potential to charge higher airfares, experts say.
“Caribbean tickets are higher margin than comparable distance domestic airfares,” said Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com.
There’s also less competition from other low-cost carriers on international routes, Seaney noted.
The growth from South Florida is partly due to increased demand for flights to destinations frequented by people living here, said Chad Meyerson, JetBlue’s director of global sales.
