JetBlue to Sue Portugal over Lisbon Airport Slot Rejections

JetBlue has announced it is considering legal action against Portugal after being repeatedly denied access to airport slots at Lisbon Airport (LIS) since 2023.

The airline claims that consistent rejection breaches the US–EU Open Skies Agreement, which was designed to provide equal opportunities for airlines on transatlantic routes.

JetBlue states that only 33 percent of slots are held by US carriers in Lisbon, while European airlines maintain an average share of 45 percent in US airports. The airline argues that this imbalance directly undermines competitive fairness in the market.

JetBlue has been targeting growth in Southern Europe, but claims its expansion strategy has been obstructed due to restricted slot allocations in Lisbon. This limited access forced JetBlue to end its codeshare agreement with TAP Air Portugal, and instead, the airline has leaned more heavily on its Blue Sky alliance with United Airlines.

The company has submitted a formal complaint to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), urging regulators to intervene to uphold reciprocity under the Open Skies Agreement. Possible measures include diplomatic pressure on Lisbon officials or even reciprocal restrictions applied to Portuguese carriers flying to the US.

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