Spirit Airlines has filed a complaint with the US Transportation Department (DOT) which questions whether JetBlue Airways and American Airlines are coordinating flights and routes “outside of the scope” of their new Northeast alliance.
The Florida-based ULCC’s opposition follows a request by JetBlue to shift seven frequencies between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Quito (UIO) to service between New York John F Kennedy (JFK) and Guayaquil (GYE). The move would increase the JFK-GYE route to double-daily.
JetBlue said the increase from New York would “better match current demand for US-Ecuador service.” The carrier hopes to make the change from June 10, using 200-seater Airbus A321neo aircraft on the second daily flight.