JetBlue overtakes American Airlines in Puerto Rico

JetBlue Airways says it has become the largest carrier in Puerto Rico, surpassing American Airlines.

JetBlue said it has secured the top spot as it announced new flights to the US Virgin Islands, starting December 15.

The airline says it grew 38 per cent in Puerto Rico over the past year and has an average of 35 flights per day from the island.

Puerto Rican governor, Luis Fortuno, said at a news conference Thursday that JetBlue will be bringing an additional 100,000 passengers per year to the island. He said it injected about US$50 million into the local economy.

American Airlines had been the main carrier but has shifted flights to Miami in recent years. The company did not comment on JetBlue's announcement.

The two new flights added by JetBlue will be from San Juan to St Croix once daily and San Juan to St Thomas twice daily, the airline's 68th and 69th destinations.

This year it will also increase service between San Juan and Santo Domingo from three to five daily flights.

"Puerto Rico has as a strategic goal to improve its position as a Caribbean hub, and JetBlue is partnering with Puerto Rico to achieve this and improve our connectivity with our sister islands like St Marteen and the Unites States Virgin Islands, and to the continental United States," said Jose Ramon Perez Riera, secretary of Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce in a joint press release with JetBlue.

- AP/Gleaner