JetBlue pushing for KLM ban in New York over Schiphol downsizing plans

Airline JetBlue is urging the U.S. Department of Transport to ban KLM from New York’s JFK airport if JetBlue can no longer fly to and from Schiphol. The American budget airline is once again protesting against the proposed contraction that the Dutch government wants to implement at Schiphol Airport.

JetBlue fears it will lose its take-off and landing rights at the airport due to the reduced number of flight movements. Last month, the company urged the government in Washington to retaliate against such a ban from Schiphol by giving KLM less space at American airports.

In a new letter, JetBlue specifically calls for a full ban on KLM flying to and from JFK, John F. Kennedy International Airport. That would be “proportionate” retaliation. According to JetBlue, the American government could also consider temporarily withdrawing certain exemptions for KLM and the airline alliance KLM belongs to.

Jet Blue, which has only been flying from Schiphol to the U.S. since August, is concerned about the downsizing plans for the Amsterdam airport. The Dutch government wants to cut the number of flight movements from 500,000 to 460,000 in April. JetBlue understands from conversations with the Dutch slot coordinator that its brand-new take-off and landing rights will be revoked.

However, according to JetBlue, the U.S. has legislation that allows the government to retaliate for allegedly unfair treatment of U.S. airlines. Another option could be for KLM to transfer part of its own landing rights at Schiphol to JetBlue for the coming summer season, the company suggests. That would allow JetBlue to continue flying to Schiphol.