JetBlue CEO Defends “Middle” Ground, Doesn’t Want to Become Spirit Airlines
Skift Take
Barger is seeking to maintain JetBlue's middle ground between ultra low cost and network carriers, but investors' new love affair with Spirit Airlines and others of its type will keep the pressure on JetBlue management.
When JetBlue started operations 14 years ago, "we weren't going to be the next ValueJet," JetBlue CEO Dave Barger said today.
Speaking of no-frills carriers, JetBlue has no desire to mimic ultra-low cost Spirit Airlines or Allegiant, and network carriers have a different model, as well, Barger said.
JetBlue wants to occupy a "middle space," Barger said, arguing that JetBlue is still in growth mode with its investments in Fort Lauderdale and San Juan as a bridge to Latin America, for instance. "We are still purchasing our aircraft, still acquiring our network," Barger said.
"There is room for more than two models on the industry landscape and we are proving that," Barger said during the company's second quarter earnings call today.
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