A legacy carrier and a low-cost carrier have suspended non-stop routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), according to reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that the number of flights American Airlines and JetBlue Airways slashed will impact those looking to travel from the Texas state capital to New Jersey, Los Angeles or Puerto Rico.
JetBlue won’t fly from AUS to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from February to July 2023 and AUS to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from February to May next year, per KVUE.
"The airline shared that these are suspensions rather than cancellations, so AUS is hoping to see a return some time in 2023,” an airport spokesperson told the station.
Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported that American, which is based 195 miles north in Fort Worth, will stop service from AUS to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, effective Nov. 3.
American is the lone carrier at the airport to fly to Puerto Rico, per the station.
“We constantly evaluate our network to ensure we’re connecting customers with the destinations most meaningful to them,” a representative with the airline told KXAN. “As the Austin-San Juan route isn’t meeting performance expectations, we’ll discontinue service effective Nov. 3.”
American’s announcement came a month after it announced Southern California-focused expansion plans at AUS.
A city-issued press release said that the airline is adding a new route from Austin to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and making its seasonal route to John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California, year-round.
The release added that American will resume flights from AUS to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Florida sometime this year.