EU Ready to Support JetBlue’s Continued Operations at Amsterdam Schiphol
The European Commission disclosed its readiness to employ interim measures if necessary to ensure JetBlue Airways could secure the slots it required for the upcoming summer season at Amsterdam Schiphol. This move underlines the commission’s commitment to fostering competition and expanding choices for transatlantic travelers. Fortunately, JetBlue successfully enhanced its slot allocation during the latter stages of the procedure, alleviating concerns over its ability to maintain services at the airport.
JetBlue, which initiated daily flights between New York JFK and Amsterdam in August 2023, and from Boston to Amsterdam in September 2023, highlighted these routes as key contributors to its increased transatlantic capacity. This expansion from 1.5% of total capacity in 2022 to 3.1% in 2023 demonstrates the airline’s ambition to strengthen its presence in the transatlantic market.
The initial slot allocation process had raised alarms about the possibility of JetBlue having to suspend its Amsterdam operations due to stringent capacity constraints and the Dutch government’s efforts to enforce noise limitations at the hub. The uncertainty prompted the airline to consider alternative European airports.
The European Commission has expressed satisfaction with the resolution that allows JetBlue to persist in its Amsterdam operations, emphasizing the importance of new entrants in ensuring competitive dynamics in congested airports. The commission’s proactive stance in safeguarding competitive access to slots at major European hubs like Amsterdam Schiphol is a significant step towards ensuring a more balanced and competitive aviation market.
As the summer 2025 season approaches, the commission vows to continue its vigilant monitoring of the situation, ensuring that the competitive landscape remains conducive to the entry and sustainability of new airlines like JetBlue, ultimately benefiting consumers with more choices and better services on transatlantic routes.