WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and representatives from Congresswoman Becca Balint’s (Vt.-AL) office met yesterday with JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes to call for the reinstatement of flight service between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The delegation emphasized the importance of bringing the flight service back to Burlington as soon as possible. In response to their concern, the delegation was happy to hear JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes say, “When the slot waiver expires, JetBlue expects to restore service from Burlington to New York.”

The delegation pledged to work with JetBlue and other airlines to address the major shortage in air traffic controllers that currently exists at JFK and across the country.

As a result of that shortage, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a voluntary slot waiver system through October 2024 which allows airlines like JetBlue to temporarily suspend routes without losing the ability to use these slots – which are designated times that airlines are allowed to take off or land at an airport – in the future.