Due to an increase in Omicron cases among crew members, JetBlue Airways is considering eliminating 1,280 flights between now and January 13, 2022.
Because of the increase in infections, there may be a temporary staffing shortage.
The announcement was made on December 30, 2021. The American low-cost carrier said in a letter obtained by Reuters that it is considering reducing its flying schedule as crew members continue to become ill with the new COVID-19 type.
According to a JetBlue Airways representative, the carrier expects the number of positive cases among its employees to rise “in the next week or two.”
“This implies there’s a good chance there will be more cancellations until case counts start to drop,” the spokeswoman told the press.
Meanwhile, the number of infections in the United States has increased, with a total of 258,312 cases reported in the last seven days.
Thousands of flights have already been canceled due to an increase in Omicron infections, which are now the most common COVID-19 strain in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decreased the recommended isolation period for asymptomatic patients who test positive for the COVID-19 virus, despite rising numbers.
The decision was made on December 28, 2021, in response to mounting pressure from a number of US airlines.
Airlines for America, a trade group that represents Southwest, American, United, Delta, and other major airlines, has petitioned the CDC to shorten the quarantine period, claiming that current quarantine restrictions may result in personnel shortages.
The CDC reduced the recommended quarantine period from ten to five days, with a further five days of stringent mask wear. If a five-day quarantine is not possible, an exposed individual must wear a well-fitting mask whenever they are with people for the next ten days.
Vaccinated people who have been exposed to the virus do not need to quarantine, but they must wear a mask while around others for 10 days, according to the CDC.
