Ever wonder what happens when an airline feels grounded by unfair rules? JetBlue is taking a bold stand, eyeing legal action against Portugal over denied access at bustling Lisbon Airport. They claim European airlines get special treatment, blocking US expansion. Is this the start of a major international aviation dispute, or just a fight for fair skies?
JetBlue is on the brink of initiating legal proceedings against Portugal, alleging persistent and unfair denials of its applications for crucial flight slots at Lisbon Airport, a move that could reshape the dynamics of transatlantic air travel.
The American carrier has faced consistent rejection in its efforts to secure additional Lisbon Airport slots for several years, contending that the current allocation policies disproportionately favor European airlines at the expense of their US counterparts. This ongoing struggle is highlighted by the remarkably low market share held by US carriers in Lisbon, a figure significantly below the average for major European airports, raising questions about competitive fairness.
As initially brought to light by Bloomberg, JetBlue’s decision to consider legal action stems from these repeated denials at Lisbon Airport (LIS), a vital gateway for transatlantic journeys into Southern Europe. The airport’s single runway, coupled with overwhelming demand for airline slot allocation, has created a bottleneck that far exceeds its current operational capacity.
JetBlue asserts that its expansion ambitions in Lisbon have been systematically obstructed since 2023, while European airlines concurrently enjoy unrestricted access to US airports. The airline views this disparity as a direct violation of the US-EU Open Skies Agreement, designed to promote fair competition and market access between the two regions. This situation has compelled JetBlue to rely on less favorable partnerships, including a now-defunct agreement with TAP Air Portugal.
Further bolstering its case, JetBlue points to compelling statistics: US airlines currently hold only 33% of the slots in Lisbon, substantially lower than the European average of 45% and ranking as the third-lowest share among all major European airports. This data underscores the perceived imbalance in access and opportunity for American carriers attempting to grow their transatlantic routes.
Despite these challenges, Lisbon Airport experienced its busiest year in 2024, serving over 35 million passengers—a more than 10% increase compared to its pre-COVID 2019 levels. This surge in demand, alongside its current Lisbon Airport capacity limitations, intensifies the pressure on slot distribution and highlights the urgency of the ongoing dispute.
Lisbon is not an isolated incident; other European aviation hubs have faced similar accusations of bias against US airlines. American carriers have previously engaged in legal battles with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) and Dublin Airport (DUB) over allegations of unfair access to slots, establishing a precedent for such international Portugal aviation disputes.
In response to the persistent demand and capacity constraints, expansion work is reportedly underway at Lisbon Airport. Once these upgrades are completed, the airport is projected to significantly boost its operational capabilities, allowing it to manage up to 45 flight movements per hour, potentially alleviating some of the current tensions surrounding JetBlue legal action and access.
