JetBlue to suspend Newark flights to the Dominican Republic starting July 8

Santo Domingo.- JetBlue Airways announced that it will suspend nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Las Américas International Airport and Punta Cana Aiport beginning July 8, 2026, citing low profitability on both routes.

The decision is part of a broader restructuring of JetBlue’s route network aimed at improving operational efficiency and focusing on markets with stronger demand. The airline said the Newark–Santo Domingo and Newark–Punta Cana routes failed to deliver the financial returns it expected, despite solid passenger occupancy levels. Industry reports noted that the Newark–Punta Cana route posted an average load factor of nearly 87% over the past year, above JetBlue’s network average, suggesting that high airport costs and competitive pressures at Newark weighed on profitability.

JetBlue said the changes also reflect ongoing aircraft fleet limitations and elevated operating expenses at certain airports. In an internal communication, the airline acknowledged that several Newark routes “have not performed as we need them to.”