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Caribbean Life, Mar. 31-Apr. 6, 2022
Mayor Eric Adams makes an economic development and jobs-related announcement
with jetBlue at JFK Airport in Queens. March 28, 2022.
City’s economic engine will
take flight with 5,000 airline
jobs, Mayor Adams says
By Ethan Stark-Miller
Mayor Eric Adams joined JetBlue CEO
Robin Hayes Monday at John F. Kennedy
International Airport to announce the airline
would be adding 5,000 jobs in New York
City this year
Adams framed the partnership as part
of his broader push to revitalize the city’s
economy following the devastation from
the COVID-19 pandemic.
“New York City is coming back, and we
are working with our business community
to invest in our people, restart our economic
engines, and give New Yorkers pathways
to quality jobs,” Adams said. “Not only is
JetBlue one of our largest home-grown
employers, but the company is creating
5,000 new jobs in our city. I look forward
to working with them on a new workforce
partnership that will provide more New
Yorkers with career pathways and opportunities
in this critical industry.”
In addition to employing 5,000 more
New Yorkers, adding these new jobs in the
airline industry will also help get the city’s
struggling tourism economy back on track,
said New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic
and Workforce Development Maria
Torres-Springer.
“Getting visitors back to the five boroughs
and supporting our tourism industry
are critical in our efforts to drive an equitable
Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
economic recovery,” Torres-Springer
said. “Not only is JetBlue adding thousands
of jobs in New York, but they are also making
it easier for people to access the amazing
attractions our city has to offer.”
JetBlue will also work with the city to
connect New Yorkers with job opportunities
at the airline and create a pipeline for
people looking to build careers there.
Besides the announcement of the partnership,
the event also held on the spot
interviews and conditional hiring for Jet-
Blue positions based in the city. These
include roles in airport, ground and technical
operations as well as inflight services,
information technology and other support
center jobs.
For Council Speaker Adrienne Adams,
whose district includes JFK, the announcement
was personal. Adams said her experience
as a former flight attendant from
southeast Queens gave her first-hand
knowledge of how important the airline
industry is to the area.
“Employers like JetBlue are critical,”
Adams said. “Particularly at this moment
in time when we know that good paying
jobs and careers are needed. Particularly for
our airline industry, one of the most exciting
industries in the world. It is (especially
an) economic driver in southeast Queens.”