Jet Blue Airlines Has Its Eyes on Lucrative Cuban Travel Market

JetBlue is interested in providing additional service to Cuba from multiple U.S. cities as soon as legally permitted,” the company said in a release addressing the recently-announced Cuba trade mission planned by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The release further stated; “JetBlue’s continued expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America, where one third of its network is operated, reflects the company’s network growth strategy in high-value geographies.”

JetBlue has actually been offering charter flights to Cuba from both Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, serving both Havana and Santa Clara for the past three years.

On the planned Cuomo trip, Robert Land, senior vice president for government affairs and associate general counsel at JetBlue, said “the Governor’s vision for shaping responsible economic development with Cuba and investing in a world-class travel experience for New Yorkers are two important efforts to help our home state compete on the world stage.”

But JetBlue’s recent surge in the Caribbean suggests it may be uniquely positioned to do so, particularly out of its nearby Fort Lauderdale focus city.