Jet Airways to withdraw JFK flights from Sept

Loss-making carrier Jet Airways today said it will temporarily suspend services to New York (JFK) from September 10, though it would continue to operate to Newark International Airport.

The airline, which posted a loss of over Rs 294 crore in the quarter ended March 31, said that as part of its "ongoing network evaluation with clear focus on profitability, (the airline) will be redeploying its assets on its existing route network.

"This has hence necessitated the temporary suspension of the airline's Brussels-New York (JFK) flight effective 10th September 2012."

However, Jet would continue uninterrupted to two major gateways in North America, Newark and Toronto, with its Mumbai-Brussels-Newark and Delhi-Brussels-Toronto routes," it said in a filing to the BSE.

Regarding those passengers booked on the JFK flight beyond September 10, the airline will "ensure that the affected guests are offered alternative flights on our own services to New York (Newark) or that of partner airlines" then onwards.

The company said the decision to stop the JFK flight was taken "in view of the current global economic conditions and its impact on business worldwide".

Jet Airways recently decided to cut money-losing international routes, including long-haul flights to Johannesburg and some short-haul flights to the Gulf as part of a consolidation plan.