The carrier adds flights from Florida to Ponce and Aguadilla
JetBlue announced a new expansion of its Puerto Rico service on Friday, launching daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Ponce and adding a second daily flight to Aguadilla.
Tourism officials say the move will strengthen regional economies outside the San Juan metropolitan area. Willianette Robles Cancel, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), said the carrier’s continued growth on the Island reflects confidence in Puerto Rico’s tourism sector and in emerging opportunities in the south and west. The new operations will add 118,260 seats to the market and generate an estimated $38 million in direct economic impact, according to CTPR projections.
The airline will operate one daily flight to Mercedita International Airport in Ponce and two daily flights to Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla. Robles Cancel noted that increased air access is expected to support job creation, boost visitor spending, and stimulate commercial activity in municipalities that have long sought to diversify beyond traditional tourism hubs.
The expansion also includes a new route launching in November 2026 between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. That service is expected to add an additional $38.7 million to the local economy. In total, changes to JetBlue’s network this semester could represent more than $76.7 million in economic activity for Puerto Rico.
Norberto Negrón Díaz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, said Mercedita Airport plays a central role in the government’s strategy to modernize and enhance regional air facilities. Ports is investing more than $18 million in upgrades to the Ponce airport, including rehabilitation and modernization projects to increase its long-term capacity.
Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez said the new Fort Lauderdale route strengthens the city’s connectivity and expands opportunities for tourism, commerce, and investment throughout the southern region. Aguadilla Mayor Julio Roldán Concepción added that the second daily flight to his municipality will help drive economic activity for hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and local families.
The expansion comes as Puerto Rico continues to position regional airports as engines of broader economic development, leveraging increased airlift to attract visitors, support local industries, and improve mobility for residents and travelers.
