 JetBlue has been working to woo back customers in recent days |
High fuel prices and costly storm delays have prompted US airline JetBlue to warn of widening losses. The no-frills carrier now expects a first quarter pre-tax margin of minus 10% to minus 8% against previous estimates of minus 4% to minus 2%.
Before the airline lowered its forecasts, analysts had predicted an earnings-per-share loss of 9 cents.
On Tuesday, the group said recent flight cancellations prompted by severe weather could it cost more than $30m.
The group added previous earnings forecasts released at the end of January had been based on assumed airline fuel costs of $1.89 a gallon, while the latest predictions were now based on estimated fuel costs of $1.94 a gallon.
The news came as the company continued its efforts to woo back customers after its recent flights debacle.
In a handful of US newspapers the company took out full page adverts declaring : "We are sorry and embarrassed. But most of all, we are deeply sorry.
On Tuesday the firm launched a customer bill of rights. Under the charter it has vowed to issue vouchers to compensate people hit by delays for anything from $25 to the full cost of their ticket for flight delays.