15/10/2026
Aruba Airport Authority and Aruba Tourism Authority Celebrates 20 Years of JetBlue’s New York to Aruba Service
JetBlue and its Aruba partners mark the milestone with celebrations today at airports in New York and Aruba
ORANJESTAD – Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA), together with JetBlue and the Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), are celebrating the 20th anniversary of JetBlue's nonstop
service between New York and Aruba, recognizing the airline's contributions to the island's air connectivity and tourism industry.
JetBlue first launched service to Aruba on September 15, 2006, with a nonstop flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). What began with this inaugural route has grown into an important air connection, strengthening ties between Aruba and one of its key visitor market while offering travelers greater choice when planning their journeys to and from the island.
Today, JetBlue connects Aruba with New York (JFK), Boston (BOS) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL), continuing its role as an important airline partner for the destination. The airline’s service has supported Aruba’s tourism economy by providing convenient travel options for visitors and local residents, while offering connections to additional destinations across JetBlue’s growing network.
"For 20 years, JetBlue has been a valued partner in connecting Aruba with the United States and welcoming travelers through our airport. This milestone reflects the strength of our longstanding partnership and the dedication of the JetBlue teams who have supported the operation throughout the years. We thank JetBlue for its continued commitment to Aruba and look forward to building on this relationship in the years ahead." said Jonny Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of Aruba Airport Authority N.V.
“As we celebrate JetBlue’s 20 years of service to Aruba, we recognize the value of a partnership that supports both our tourism sector and our community. Every connection creates opportunities for visitors to discover our island, for local businesses to grow and for residents to travel. We thank JetBlue for its continued confidence in Aruba and look forward to a future in which strong connectivity supports quality tourism and our people’s well-being,” said Wendrick Cicilia, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Labor.
“Aruba has been an important part of JetBlue’s network for 20 years, and we’re proud of the connections we’ve built with the island and its people,” said Dave Jehn, vice president, network planning and airline partnerships, JetBlue. “We’re grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Aruba Airport Authority and Aruba Tourism Authority and look forward to continuing to connect customers to Aruba with the service and experience they know and love from JetBlue.”
Celebrating The People
"JetBlue has played an important role in helping connect our island with key markets in the United States and in providing travelers with the opportunity to experience and appreciate Aruba. Through its continued service over the past two decades, the airline has helped generations of visitors learn more about our culture and our people. We thank JetBlue for its continued support of and commitment to Aruba and are pleased to continue working together," said Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority.
To mark the anniversary, AAA hosted a celebration with JetBlue's local team at Queen Beatrix International Airport on the morning of October 15 at the check-in arrival hall. Team members were thanked for their dedication and contribution to JetBlue's Aruba operation with a celebratory cake, snacks and commemorative cookies. Passengers departing Aruba on JetBlue flights that day also received a branded commemorative item as a gesture of appreciation for their loyalty.
In New York, A.T.A. team members joined JetBlue at JFK to celebrate the anniversary alongside the airline's team and passengers traveling to Aruba. As part of the celebration, the A.T.A. team connected with passengers at the terminal, celebrating JetBlue’s continued connection to the island while inviting travelers to take the Aruba Promise before boarding. By taking the promise, travelers pledged their commitment to enjoy Aruba responsibly and help preserve the island’s natural beauty, culture and welcoming spirit for generations to come.
The celebrations in Aruba and New York recognized not only the anniversary of the route, but also the crew members, partners and passengers who have helped sustain the connection for two decades. The milestone underscores the shared commitment of AAA, JetBlue and A.T.A. to reliable connectivity, a welcoming passenger experience and the continued success of Aruba as a leading Caribbean destination.
As JetBlue enters its second decade of service to Aruba, AAA and the A.T.A. look forward to continuing the collaboration and to create positive travel experiences for passengers arriving at and departing from Queen Beatrix International Airport.
About AUA Airport
About AUA Airport AUA Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean region, with more than 24 different airlines operating into Aruba contributing to processing more than 3.4 million passengers per year and providing air service to 30 cities and 45 non-stop destinations worldwide. AUA Airport’s markets served comprise of 71% from the United States & Canada, 20% from Latin America, 4% from Europe, and 4% from Dutch Caribbean. AUA Airport attributes this to the island’s stable economic and political climate, hospitable and multilingual population, and safe environment. AUA Airport’s aspiration is to become one of the most Sustainable, Safe, and Future Proof airports of the Latin America & Caribbean region, providing a trusted workplace, modern airport facilities and excellent customer service which reflects Aruban hospitality, contributing to a prosperous future for Aruba.
Learn more about what’s happening at AUA Airport by visiting www.airportaruba.com and connect with AUA Airport on Twitter.com/Aruba_Airport, Facebook.com/ArubaAirport, Instagram.com/arubaairport/, TikTok.com/ and Linkedin.com/ArubaAirport.
Date:October 15, 2026