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March 30 - April 5, 2015

JWA handles more passengers but flights stay about level

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in February 2015 as compared to February 2014.  In February 2015, the Airport served 708,940 passengers, an increase of 5.5% when compared to the February 2014 passenger traffic count of 671,858.

Commercial aircraft operations increased 0.6%, while commuter aircraft operations decreased 3.1% when compared to February 2014 levels.



March 23 - March 29, 2015

Alaska Airlines' JWA-Mexico flights get the green light from U.S. regulators
- OC Register

Alaska Airlines is offering introductory fares to two Mexico cities from John Wayne Airport on the heels of U.S. government approval for the international flights.

The Department of Transportation approved this week the addition of two routes to and from the Orange County airport and Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.


March 9 - March 15, 2015

Alaska Airlines seeks goverment approval for Mexico flights from JWA

Alaska Airlines submitted its application to begin nonstop service from Orange County, California, to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The flights are pending approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Mexico Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). 


Southwest airlines currently flies the same two routes from JWA.



February 23 - March 1, 2015

Loretta Sanchez's bill wants John Wayne Airport to be 'port of entry' to attract international travel
- OC Register

A House bill introduced this week would ease airline costs for international flights into John Wayne Airport and could attract more such flights to the county.

The measure calls for the airport to be declared a “port of entry.” Currently, airlines there must reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the cost of checking travelers from abroad, but there is no such charge to carriers at official ports of entry.

Courtney Wiercioch, a deputy airport director, said Interjet’s decision to leave John Wayne last year was due in part to the customs fees.

“Other international carriers have said that it’s a hindrance to them flying here as well,” she said.

Passengers arriving in the U.S. from abroad already pay a $17.50 fee to customs, regardless of the airport. Additionally, customs charged John Wayne carriers $1.4 million in 2014 to service the 277,000 passengers arriving on international flights.

Airports must have at least 15,000 annual international passengers to qualify to port of entry status.

Website Editor:  Long Beach Airport is considering adding customs facilities at the request of JetBlue.  See article below.




JWA posts January results; more passengers with fewer flights


Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in January 2015 as compared to January 2014.  In January 2015, the Airport served 736,666 passengers, an increase of 2.5% when compared to the January 2014 passenger traffic count of 718,549.

Commercial aircraft operations decreased 1.7%, while commuter aircraft operations decreased 4.4% when compared to January 2014 levels.




JetBlue requests Long Beach Airport add U.S. Customs facility for international flights
- Long Beach Press-Telegram
 
JetBlue on Monday formally requested Long Beach Airport apply for a federal customs facility, a move that would allow international travel at the city-owned airport.

In a letter sent to Airport Director Bryant Francis, Robert C. Land, JetBlue senior vice president for Government Affairs and associate general counsel, stated the airline has no interest in modifying the city’s airport noise ordinance.

“JetBlue will utilize only its current allotment of assigned Air Carrier slots and existing aircraft parking positions to fly internationally in addition to our current 11 domestic markets,” Land wrote.




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