JetBlue to launch nonstop service between New York, San Diego The Associated Press 3/18/03 11:02 AM NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) -- JetBlue Airways Corp., boosting its share of long-haul routes that were once the province of big carriers, said Tuesday it will begin nonstop service between San Diego and New York. The rapidly growing low-fare carrier said it will begin service with one flight June 26 and will add a second flight the following month. JetBlue is offering one-way introductory fares of $124 or $119, if booked online. Regular one-way fares, before certain taxes of up to $17, will range from $139 to the airline's cap of $299. The company, whose main base is at New York's Kennedy Airport, last month said it would add service at its West Coast base in Long Beach, Calif., by starting flights from there to Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 8. Atlanta will be a new destination for the three-year-old company. JetBlue operates 39 new Airbus A320 jets and is scheduled to add 13 more by the end of the year. Bigger airlines, which have been struggling in recent years amid the economic downturn and mounting security costs, are examining the low-fare carrier business models of JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways. Delta Air Lines, the No. 3 carrier, unveiled plans in November to launch its own low-cost airline, called Song. In morning trading, shares of JetBlue rose 62 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $27.25, on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved Roger EWROPS