JetBlue unveils new DC flights

JetBlue Airways announced destinations for its flights at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Airport that were acquired from the merger of US Airways and American Airlines.

JetBlue was awarded the right to operate 12 flights at Reagan airport that US Airways and American were required to relinquish in exchange for approval of their merger last year.

Flights at the Washington, D.C., airport, as well as New York’s LaGuardia Airport, are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an effort to reduce airplane congestion.

JetBlue said Thursday that it would use three of the pairs of flights to and from Reagan Airport to offer service to Charleston, S.C., and Hartford, Conn.; and Nassau, Bahamas.

{mosads}The New York-based airline said it would use a fourth new flight pair, which are known within the aviation industry as “slots,” to add an extra flight between Washington, D.C., and Tampa, Fla.

The Department of Justice has maintained since announcing its decision to allow US Airways and American to merge that the agreement between the agency and the airlines would result in more low-fare airlines offering service to Washington, D.C.

JetBlue President Robin Hayes said the airline was planning to offer 30 flights per day at Reagan airport, which is popular with lawmakers because of its close proximity to the Capitol.

“We are delighted to be expanding in our nation’s capital, on our way to 30 departures per day at Reagan National, with intro fares as low as $30(a) one-way,” Hayes said in a statement.

“Despite our relatively small presence at DCA, JetBlue has truly disrupted the market with fair fares and a better experience for travelers,” Hayes continued. “We look forward to bringing the positive benefits of nonstop JetBlue service from Washington to Charleston, Hartford, and Nassau, with more new destinations to come later this year.”

JetBlue was the second largest winner of vacated US Airways and American landing slots at Reagan airport, trailing only Southwest Airlines.