JetBlue is significantly expanding its footprint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, adding 11 new destinations and planning its first-ever service to Venezuela as it steps in to fill the void left by Spirit Airlines’ shutdown in early May.

The expansion makes JetBlue the dominant carrier at FLL, where more than 40% of its total flights already operate. Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen expressed enthusiasm about the airline’s growth, calling it a potential hometown carrier for the region. Spirit, formerly based in Dania Beach, had been a fixture at Terminal 4 before ceasing operations on May 2.

“We are stepping up for a community that has been a part of our story since day one at an important moment, adding service where customers need it, strengthening our relevance across South Florida and making FLL an even more powerful gateway across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s senior vice president of revenue, network and enterprise planning.

Among the most notable additions is a planned direct route between FLL and Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela. The service, subject to government approval, would operate on 150-passenger Airbus A320 aircraft before the end of the year, with tickets expected to go on sale in the coming months. South Florida is home to one of the largest Venezuelan diaspora communities in the United States.

Aviation expert and attorney Willard Shepard noted that the timing remains challenging industrywide. “This is a very difficult summer and time for all airlines, but especially the situation Spirit was in with minimum fares and rising fuel costs,” Shepard said. JetBlue and other carriers including Allegiant and Avianca have been expanding at FLL even as the airline industry grapples with elevated jet fuel prices tied to geopolitical tensions.

For South Florida travelers, the expansion signals greater connectivity and competitive fares on routes that Spirit once dominated. JetBlue’s model, which includes complimentary Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, and free snacks, offers a differentiated experience from Spirit’s ultra-low-cost approach.

Source: WPLG Local 10 | Business of Miami