JetBlue made their third trip to Worcester (ORH) over the past 12 months this week. There are three possible scenarios moving forward:
- April/May announcement: There will be daily flights starting in November, 2013, to two Florida destinations (most likely Fort Lauderdale and Orlando).
- July/August announcement: There will be daily flight to these two Florida destinations starting in February, 2014.
- No announcement: JetBlue decides not to fly out of ORH
I hope for the first, will take the second and highly doubt the third will happen.
Some people have asserted that JetBlue will not commit to ORH until the Category III Landing system has been installed. Although JetBlue, and any other carrier, would like to have Category III Landing systems at all the airports that they service, this is not the reality. JetBlue’s eventual decision to fly here, however, will be greatly influenced by the fact MassPort has committed to the installation of the Category III landing system. Something the City of Worcester could never have contemplated, when the cost will be in excess of $25 million dollars. This major improvement on the horizon will help convince JetBlue to fly out ORH in November, 2013 or February, 2014.
Until Category III is installed, ORH will have some flights cancelled due to fog, similar to the situation JetBlue has with their White Plains operations, where planes are diverted to JFK. Although I do not see this as a major problem, it will happen and concerns JetBlue. As long as JetBlue has a smooth procedure to get passengers to Boston, in the event a plane can not land at ORH, but can in Boston, what difference does it make to us? We already have to drive to Boston-Providence-Manchester or Hartford every single time we fly to Florida.
Based on the track history with Allegiant and Direct Air, I do not see fog being a major problem, but it will happen more then we want until the Category III is installed. Call it growing pains, but we need to be prepared and accept it when it happens, knowing that we are truly finally on the right path.
Some people have also asserted that we need an access road. Although JetBlue, and any other carrier, would like a direct access road, there are many airports that have commercial service and are not easy to access. Drive to Boston lately, sorry MassPort? JetBlue’s eventual decision to fly here, however, will be greatly influenced by the improvements to the roads that lead to the airport that have been done and that are planned, as well as improved signage. This commitment also will help convince JetBlue to fly out of ORH in November, 2013 or February, 2014.
We all need to face the reality, if MassPort was not the owner of ORH, we would not be having any of these discussions. MassPort’s commitment to upgrade to Category III and JetBlue being their largest carrier are the main reasons JetBlue may actually fly out of ORH.
JetBlue, however,
will not stay here unless ORH is a success no matter what their relationship is with MassPort.
Once we get JetBlue, it is up to us to fill their planes .
Bottom line sign up for
True Blue on the JetBlue website, get your JetBlue credit card and buy tickets when the announcement is made.
No more excuses.
Lastly everyone has their own story or misconception about ORH, especially with Direct Air in the not so distant past. We finally have the right owner (MassPort) , the right airline (JetBlue) and the right destination (Florida). To put the past completely behind us, MassPort how about FREE PARKING the first six months JetBlue flies out of ORH to ensure the success of both JetBlue and ORH?
