On a positive note, airline industry reports are focusing on the continued success of the US?s newest low-fare airline, JetBlue. The discount airline earned US$15.2 million in its first quarter, compared to earnings of US$11.1 million in the same quarter period one year ago. These gains are despite having had to absorb increased fuel and expansion costs. Airline news sources indicate that JetBlue is going ahead with its plans to add two new Airbuses to its 50-plane fleet by the end of the year.
Factors leading to the success of the airline are its technological innovations as the first US airline to introduce ?paperless cockpit? flight technology and the only one to have 100% of ticket sales transacted electronically, with a virtual reservations center model that has yielded improved service and increased profit margins. JetBlue was founded by David Neeleman, formerly of Southwest Airlines. Neeleman launched JetBlue in February 2000 and it remains the first and only US start-up airline to launch with more than US$100 million in capital. This enabled the company to offer travelers such comforts as plush leather seats and free 24-channel satellite television at every seat right from the start. Today, after three years in operation, the airline offers in-flight yoga sessions and proudly boasts that it ranks first among US airlines in on-time arrivals.
DR1 sources say that JetBlue executives are considering the Dominican Republic as a future destination. The airline already flies to San Juan, Puerto Rico.