JetBlue to launch 5 routes, generating $119M for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s visitor economy is projected to get a major boost next year as JetBlue prepares to add five new direct routes to San Juan, an expansion officials estimate will generate $119.2 million in economic impact. The additions strengthen San Juan’s role as one of the carrier’s most important hubs and open new, previously unserved markets, government and company officials said.
Beginning in March, JetBlue will introduce new nonstop flights between San Juan (SJU) and Philadelphia (PHL), Jacksonville (JAX), Norfolk (ORF), Richmond (RIC) and Buffalo (BUF).
The five routes will add more than 185,000 new seats annually, reinforcing JetBlue’s position as the airline with the highest number of direct connections to Puerto Rico, government officials said.
As part of the announcement, JetBlue and the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. signed a cooperative agreement valued at up to $1 million to support targeted marketing and visibility campaigns in select U.S. cities. Officials said the effort is intended to strengthen demand for travel to Puerto Rico, promote the new routes and support JetBlue’s long-term presence on the island.
“The expansion of these routes confirms that Puerto Rico continues to position itself as a competitive and high-value destination for the airline industry,” said Gov. Jenniffer González during the announcement.
“Each of these new connections represents more opportunities for economic development, greater access for Puerto Ricans residing outside the island and increased exposure for our Island in key markets,” she said.
Puerto Rico Tourism Co. Executive Director Willianette Robles said the expansion supports the agency’s long-term air access strategy.
“The addition of these routes is part of a clear strategy: to diversify our connectivity and ensure that Puerto Rico maintains a strong presence in the markets that generate the highest volume of visitors,” she said. “Today, more than just adding routes, we are expanding opportunities for our economy, for our visitors, and for the entire industry that depends on tourism.”
JetBlue President Marty St. George noted the company’s two decades of operations in Puerto Rico.
“Puerto Rico has shaped JetBlue’s identity for more than two decades,” he said. “Our new routes further deepen our commitment to the island and the communities that have been part of JetBlue’s story since 2002.”
New markets, service frequencies
Three of the new destinations — Buffalo, Richmond and Norfolk — currently have no direct service to Puerto Rico.
The new service frequencies will vary based on demand:
• Philadelphia (PHL): Daily service
• Jacksonville (JAX): Four weekly flights (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.)
• Buffalo (BUF): Four weekly flights (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.)
• Norfolk (ORF): Four weekly flights (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sun.)
• Richmond (RIC): Three weekly flights (Tues., Thurs., Sat.)
The additions will expand Puerto Rico’s connectivity to the East Coast and Southeast, regions that have historically generated strong tourism, visiting-friends-and-relatives travel and business demand.
Expanding Puerto Rico’s air access strategy
The cooperative agreement between JetBlue and the Tourism Co. will support digital marketing, route promotions and destination branding in priority markets. Officials said the goal is to improve route performance, drive visitor arrivals and strengthen the sustainability of new service.
“With these efforts, Puerto Rico continues to move toward a more robust, diversified air network that is aligned with the needs of the industry and the citizens,” the Tourism Co. said in a statement.
