JetBlue is to make significant changes to its schedule in the wake of the New Year snowstorm, adding that new FAA rules on pilot rest periods were a major factor in flight cancelations.
The new regulations, which took effect on January 4, reduce the maximum time allowed on duty and increase pilot rest periods. ~
According to JetBlue, Federal Aviation Regulation 117 “had a major impact on airline operations this week due to the weather situation.”
The airline added that further delays and cancelations are still a possibility over the coming days.
So far it is the only airline to publicly apportion blame to the new FAA regulations but Kaitie Connell, a spokesperson for Airlines for America, said: “We have heard anecdotally from some member carriers that it was a contributing factor and we will continue to work closely with the FAA to identify specific issues related to the implementation of the rule and propose solutions in response.”
Real-time flight tracker flightview.com says 1,316 JetBlue flights have been canceled since January 2.
