If Independence Air [FLYI] is still in business and flying in mid-January, it will face competition on its Washington-to-Boston run from JetBlue Airways [JBLU].

In a major expansion of its service from Washington Dulles International Airport - Independence's home port - JetBlue on Jan. 17 will start flying the Embraer [ERJ] 190 six times a day to Boston. Independence flies this route five times a day on its Airbus 319s.

JetBlue will begin its service with a special fare, $25 one way, while Independence's flat Web fare is $59. JetBlue said its regular fares will range from $55 to $140 each way.

FlyI on Nov. 7 filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (RAN, Nov. 14). It has set up an auction system to either sell itself, attract new equity or sell its assets. According to its timetable, the auction should be finalized in a court hearing on Jan. 5. The carrier entered bankruptcy with $24 million in cash and said it would have enough money to keep operating until the January hearing.

JetBlue, which ordered 100 Embraer 190s as the launch customer, began flying the new 100-seat jet on Nov. 8. It has announced extensive service expansions using the new plane, including a New York-to-Boston shuttle (RAN, Oct. 24).

The newly announced Washington-to-Boston route is jumping ahead of previously announced service expansions to Austin, Texas, and Richmond, Va.

With the addition of the Boston flights, JetBlue will now have 16 flights a day from Dulles. Its current schedule includes flights to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Southern California on its Airbus 320s.