Long Island City-based JetBlue Airways, a low-cost passenger airline, is considering relocating from its New York headquarters location to Florida where the company maintains a training center and travel-products sales operation.
Like many companies located in high-tax, high-regulatory compliance states like New York and California, moves to lower-tax states with fewer regulatory restrictions and a lower cost of living is increasingly attractive.
A company spokesperson noted that the company employs 1,300 employees at its Long Island City headquarters and that a decision will be made later this year. "We are exploring a number of paths, including staying in Long Island City, moving to another space in New York City, and/or shifting a to-be-determined number of roles to existing support centers in Florida.”
Considerations include the current headquarters lease expiration in 2023 and the reduction in occupied office space as the company uses remote workers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other New York politicians are said to be working on an incentive package and exerting force on the airlines to remain headquartered in New York.
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?
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