In a bulletin posted on social media, Donovan Richards, Borough President of Queens outlined why JetBlue should take a fresh look at its tentative decision to leave Queens.
On June 14th, Richards sent a letter to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Executive Director Rick Cotton, asking PANYNJ to extend JetBlue’s lease at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
After visiting JetBlue’s current headquarters in Long Island City, Borough President Richards learned a lease extension at JFK Airport would discourage JetBlue from abandoning its plans to move its corporate headquarters to Florida.
The Borough President wrote, “In discussions, I understand that JetBlue and their development partners, JFK Millennial Partners, has not been extended the same 10-year lease extension agreement and concessions for their project. JetBlue Airways wants to maintain their company profile as a low-cost airline, something that might prove difficult if they are forced to compete with market rate airlines.
JetBlue Airways is a good corporate citizen, and we want them to remain an anchor company in Long Island City. Their Long Island City employees support the neighborhood businesses, and their presence has been an advantage for the Borough and the City in every conceivable way.”
