JetBlue received regulatory authorization to fly scheduled transatlantic flights between London, New York and Boston from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Monday, the agency said.
“This approval marks the first scheduled foreign carrier permit that has been issued to a new operator since the UK’s exit from the European Union. All non-UK air carriers that wish to undertake commercial services to, from or within the United Kingdom are required to hold a Foreign Carrier Permit before any flight is undertaken,” added UK CAA.
JetBlue announced the launch of routes between the U.S. East Coast and the UK in 2019 due to the incorporation of the extended range A321LR jets.
The Covid-19 pandemic, however, postponed plans for the end of 2021, in the most recent forecast. The US carrier, founded by David Neeleman as a low cost in 2000, has yet to reveal which will be the destination airport in the British capital.
Despite this, rumors indicate that JetBlue should operate at Heathrow Airport, where it would have secured slots.
In the future, JetBlue will be able to use its A321XLR, the longest-range variant of the model, with 4,700 nm of autonomy. Airbus plans to start deliveries of the single-aisle jet in 2023.
