Flight Sales Plummet In Wake Of Devastating Hurricane Season

Caribbean countries and southern U.S. states were battered by several record-breaking hurricanes this summer that caused billions in damages and affected travel. Major airline companies like JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines reported revenue loss due in part to storm-induced airport closures.

JetBlue said that hurricanes will cost the company more than $100 million in lost revenue and slashed profits for its third and fourth quarters.

The airline company said Wednesday that hurricanes cut income by $44 million in the third quarter and between $70 million and $90 million for the fourth quarter, the Washington Post reported.

Behemoth storms such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria reduced third-quarter operating income by $30 million to $35 million, equivalent to 6 or 7 cents per share, and will lower fourth-quarter income by $50 million to $70 million, or 10 to 13 cents a share.

JetBlue’s projections were part of September’s passenger traffic report, which is based on booking trends.

"Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by hurricanes in recent months," CEO Robin Hayes said in a statement, according to USA Today. "The third quarter presented unprecedented weather challenges for JetBlue, with two of the largest hurricanes in our history impacting our network."

"We remain committed to the rebuilding efforts, particularly in Puerto Rico," Hayes said. "We are confident that the adjustments we are making to our network will minimize any ongoing financial impact in 2018."

Delta in its quarterly earnings report Wednesday also announced losses as income dropped 6 percent to almost $1.2 billion during its third and fourth quarter, with $120 million of the lost revenue pinned to Hurricane Irma last month.

July and September brought several storms, but Irma — which caused an estimated $62.8 billion in damages with its powerful winds and massive flooding — hampered flights in the Caribbean, Florida and Atlanta, where Delta’s main hub is located.

"While we faced a number of challenges this quarter, including multiple hurricanes and an earthquake in Mexico, I am proud of how Delta people responded and still delivered an outstanding performance this quarter," CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement.

In an effort to boost profits and revenue, JetBlue announced Wednesday a special one-day sale with one-way ticketing starting at $31. The sale, which ended Thursday, allowed customers to purchase round-trip tickets starting at $61 and are limited to travel between Oct. 27 and Nov. 4.

The company offered $31 tickets for JetBlue's major routes that include: Austin to Long Beach, California; Atlanta to Boston; Boston to New York; Chicago to New York; New York to West Palm Beach, Florida; Tampa, Florida, to Washington D.C.; and Denver to New York, according to its website.

The discounted tickets were only available for JetBlue’s budget-fare class called "Blue," which doesn't include the free checked-luggage option.