[SteelTown]

U.S. carrier JetBlue to begin service to Canada
BRENT JANG

December 20, 2007

JetBlue Airways Corp. of New York will launch charter service in 2008 into Canada. The low-cost carrier said yesterday that the move follows the Canadian Transportation Agency's decision to grant approval for JetBlue to begin charter and scheduled flights between Canada and the United States.

The private charters will include flights for sports teams and corporate groups, JetBlue spokesman Sebastian White said yesterday. Sources say JetBlue managers have met with officials from Toronto's Pearson International Airport to discuss scheduled service, but Pearson's high landing fees are currently a barrier to the U.S. airline's entry.

One-third of JetBlue's customers departing from Buffalo are Canadians, according to the carrier. JetBlue disclosed in late October that it would apply for licences in Canada, spurring Canadian rivals to chop fares on their routes from Central Canada to Florida. JBLU (Nasdaq) fell 22 cents (U.S.) to $6.67.