JetBlue to add flights at SRQ

Feb. 14--MANATEE -- JetBlue Airways, one of four remaining carriers at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, will add nonstop daily flights to New York's LaGuardia Airport on June 11, the company announced Monday.

JetBlue Airways saw 157,065 passengers walk through the SRQ terminal last year, about 11.5 percent of the airport's total count. The new service to LGA includes two flights: one that departs from LGA at 1:35 p.m. and arrives at SRQ AT 4:32 p.m. and another that departs from SRQ at 5:35 p.m. and arrives at LGA at 8:30 p.m.

Although JetBlue already provides service from SRQ to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the LGA addition is vital to draw new traffic from the city because it's the preferred airport for travelers going to Manhattan, Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo said.

Since AirTran announced earlier this year it will end all local flights by summer, a decision spurred from a merger with Southwest, the only airlines left at SRQ are JetBlue, Delta, U.S. Airways and Air Canada. JetBlue also has summer service to Boston.

JetBlue will receive $100,000 in marketing assistance and a $5 per passenger credit for one year.

"This service actually kicks in before AirTran pulls out, so it's a nice rebound," Piccolo said. "We're really pleased, and we're looking forward to this future growth. The important thing is people patronize the service and show the decision by Southwest was a poor one."

Piccolo has had several conversations with existing and new potential airlines to fill the void that will be left when AirTran leaves, taking nearly one-third of SRQ's total passengers. The new JetBlue flight was a direct result of those efforts, he said.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon with Piccolo at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at IMG Academies Golf and Country Club to discuss the airport's future.

"I think some of our existing carriers will pick up the routes," Airport Commissioner Jack Rynerson said. "The problem is we just don't know."

Josh Salman, Herald business writer, can be reached at 941-745-7095.