LB Airport likely to see the decline in revenue as JetBlue reduces summer flights, Horizon Air leaves market

Sean Belk:
Contributing Writer

Long Beach Airport is projecting a dip in revenue this year as JetBlue Airways has recently scaled back the number of flights the airline will be offering this summer while Horizon Air, a regional carrier of Alaska Airlines, pulled out of the market in January, according to airport officials.
In a phone interview, Long Beach Airport Director Bryant Francis confirmed with the Signal Tribune that passenger traffic at the airport has already dropped so far this year, with enplaned passengers for January and February down 12 percent compared to the same time period last year.
Even though summer historically is the “busiest travel season” for airlines, JetBlue has decided to offer four fewer flights this year than last year, he said.
JetBlue, which holds the most flights of any airline at Long Beach Airport, has decided to offer 26 daily departures from Long Beach this summer rather than the 30 daily flights that the airline offered last summer.
Francis said JetBlue discontinued its daily “red-eye” flight to Washington, D.C. last year. The other changes are simply “reductions in frequency to existing markets,” he said, adding that this summer there will be one less flight to Las Vegas, one less flight to Oakland and one less flight to Salt Lake City.
JetBlue officials have attributed the lighter summer-flight schedule to “stronger needs in other parts of their network,” Francis said.
“I think it’s simply due to needs that JetBlue has in other parts of its vast network for additional service in other markets that are leading to a decline in departures in Long Beach for this upcoming summer travel season,” he said.
Francis added that the recent decline in passenger traffic can be attributed to Horizon Air, which offered flights to Portland and Seattle, leaving the Long Beach market in January.
“Much of this is projection at this point, but, as of now, it is looking to be very likely that we will continue to experience a decline in overall revenues at the airport,” he said. “But, again, I would point out that a portion of that can be directly attributed to JetBlue and a portion must also be attributed to the loss of Horizon Air, which left the market in January. It’s a combination of factors that are leading to lower levels of passenger activity.”
As reported by the Signal Tribune, JetBlue has publically stated its request for the City of Long Beach to consider moving forward with a federal inspection services (FIS) facility for U.S. Customs and Border Protection that would enable international flights at Long Beach Airport.
On March 3, the City Council decided to delay any action regarding JetBlue’s request for the U.S. Customs facility, postponing any discussion or study on the matter until 60 days after a 4th District councilmember takes office. A special election to determine who will represent the 4th Council District is scheduled for April 14.
Francis noted that the push for a U.S. Customs facility likely had no bearing on JetBlue’s decision to cut flights this summer, adding that the decision was likely made in February, weeks before the Council even voted on the matter.
He said the fact that the airline has maintained its 26 daily flights shows a “solid commitment to Long Beach,” adding that the airport will “continue to work with all of our carriers and will continue to have discussions about any opportunities that may present themselves for enhanced service from Long Beach.” ß