Fitch Downgrades JetBlue To 'CCC+' From 'B-'

April 4 (Reuters) - Fitch:

• FITCH DOWNGRADES JETBLUE TO 'CCC+' FROM 'B-'; AFFIRMS AND DOWNGRADES CERTAIN EETC RATINGS

• FITCH - DOWNGRADE OF JETBLUE'S IDR REFLECTS CONTINUED OPERATING LOSSES, MORE PROLONGED PATH TO MARGIN RECOVERY

• FITCH - DOWNGRADE OF JETBLUE'S IDR REFLECTS SHARPLY HIGHER JET FUEL PRICES, AND PERSISTENTLY ELEVATED LEVERAGE

• FITCH ON JETBLUE- EXPECTS CREDIT METRICS TO REMAIN OUTSIDE FITCH'S PRIOR DOWNGRADE SENSITIVITIES FOR AT LEAST NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS

• FITCH ON JETBLUE: EXPECT NON-FUEL-UNIT COSTS TO REMAIN PRESSURED BY SLOWER CAPACITY GROWTH UNDER CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

• FITCH ON JETBLUE: DOWNGRADE SHOWS CONTINUED NEGATIVE FCF, WHICH CONSTRAINS JETBLUE'S FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY DESPITE STILL-ADEQUATE LIQUIDITY POSITION