(ROCHESTER, NY) - Today Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and the Ibero-American Action League called on JetBlue to consider direct routes to Puerto Rico from Rochester in the wake of their decision to add similar flights from Buffalo. Rochester has the highest number of Puerto Ricans among communities in Upstate New York

“Rochester is home to a large and vibrant Puerto Rican population, with celebrations like the Puerto Rican Festival and the Latin-themed “International Plaza” becoming cultural staples in our community,” said Senator Cooney. “Many Rochesterians still have deep connections to the Island, with family and friends they regularly visit. This upstate Puerto-Rican community should be uplifted, not overlooked—not adding a direct flight to San Juan from Rochester is a missed opportunity to better connect two regions that have become deeply intertwined.” 

“The recent announcement of new direct JetBlue flights to San Juan from Buffalo, while excluding Rochester, is deeply disappointing and difficult to justify based on population data. Monroe County is home to more than 50,000 Puerto Rican residents, far exceeding the Puerto Rican populations in Erie county, which was included in this expansion,” said Angelica Perez-Delgado, President & CEO of Ibero-American Action League Inc. “Rochester has the largest Puerto Rican community in New York State outside of New York City. Excluding Rochester overlooks both the data and the Puerto Rican community. Rochester deserves equitable consideration, our community is here, it is growing, and it is worthy of direct access.”

According to data from the Ibero-American Action League, Rochester and Monroe County outpace cities like Buffalo and Syracuse when it comes to Puerto Rican population statistics. Monroe County has over 50,000 Puerto Ricans, compared to 37,000 in Erie County and nearly 13,000 in Onondaga County. Similarly, the City of Rochester has a Puerto Rican population of over 32,000, compared to 26,000 in Buffalo and 9,000 in Syracuse. 

Due to the high numbers of Puerto Rican residents in Rochester, Senator Cooney called on JetBlue to add additional direct flights to San Juan from Rochester. The Senator serves as the Transportation Chair in the New York State Senate. 

###