Jet Blue Picks Providence over Worcester
Saturday, July 14, 2012
The Worcester Airport has been without a commercial airline carrier since Direct Air abruptly cancelled its flights and then subsequently filed bankruptcy.
In an exclusive report, GoLocalProvidence confirmed that Jet Blue will become the newest airline at T.F. Green, after nine months of courting by Rhode Island state officials. An announcement is expected on Wednesday.
While JetBlue officials have also toured the Worcester airport as recently as two months ago, and it was reportedly under consideration by the airline, officials from both Massport and the city indicated that there is no announcement planned for Worcester.
Sharon Jones, a spokesperson for JetBlue, said that JetBlue was looking forward to making an announcement in Providence soon. When asked about Worcester, Jones said
“We don’t have an announcement at this time. However, we are always scouting out new opportunities.”
Matthew Brelis, Director of Media Relations for Massport, said that Massport “talks all the time with carriers about service to Worcester.
“When we have something to announce, we will make an announcement,” he said.
Officials from the Mayor’s office declined to comment until an official announcement is made.
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Comments:
Harvey Beehive
7:46am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Smart move for JB. With Worc's losing track record re airlines, it would have only been a matter of time before JB pulled out as well. Face it, a viable airport in Worc just isn't going to happen. Sell the land and use it for something else.
Ron Motta
1:12pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Losing out to Providence has become a Worcester tradition. Whoever is directing the marketing "team" for the city should view this as a serious wake-up call, as JB COULD have put us on the 21st century map in New England. Could have been the catalyst to a new hotel, trade show destination, etc, etc., to say nothing of the efficient use of a facility that it little more than a scene for an occasional movie or as the focal point of decades of bad planning.
Ron From Wuss-Stah
Nick Marconi
1:16pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
It's definitely not looking good for ORH, but the only ways to ensure any sort of success at ORH, is to...
1. Build an access road. People complain of the airport being a failure, but reject ideas to make it a success.
2. Install CAT II or CAT III ILS, to allow aircraft to land during poor weather conditions.
This will be expensive, yes, but will create jobs and allow ORH to be a success if airlines like the improvements.
I'd like to see some services at ORH like...
Delta to Atlanta, Detroit
United to Newark, Chicago
Of course if there is success a new parking lot or garage would be needed, more jobs.
George Downing
12:36pm on Saturday, August 04, 2012
I have been flying out of Worcester for two years to Punta Gorda, FL. When I first started flying the flights were at half capacity. Within a year the flights were not only at full capacity but we needed to book the flights well in advance. In addition, they needed to add more aircraft to compensate for the increase in flight demand.
Why anyone would oppose the development of the Worcester airport or question the need for commercial flights frankly puzzles me...