Bloomberg reports that Jetblue is grounding their Embraer 190 aircraft starting on Thursday, March 8th to fix persistent software problems. Jetblue will be contracting with Expressjet to operate four ERJ145 50-seater regional jets to replace the 190s as they are grounded two at a time.
All passengers will have the option of changing their flight to a later date or time at no charge. As David Neeleman puts it, “we think most of our customers will appreciate the fact that we partnered with ExpressJet to get them to their destination reliably.”
The software difficulties produce erroneous instrument readings, which do not interfere with the planes’ safe operation, but were responsible for an incorrect reading showing problems with de-icing gear that caused the diversion of a Jetblue flight to Philadelphia last month. The software problems ultimately led to the E190s being flown 10 percent less each day than planned, boosting the seat cost per mile. The repairs will be done in Nashville.
The work should be finished by April 30th. Expressjet will operate one daily round trip between Boston and Buffalo, New York; two daily round trips between Boston and Washington-Dulles International Airport; one daily round trip between New York’s JFK International and Columbus, Ohio; and two daily round trips between JFK and Richmond, Virginia.