....November 10, 1:58 PM
	JetBlue Announces Growth Plan By Ellen Thompson Forest Hills based JetBlue Airways is looking to expand its operations and raise at least $135 million by selling new shares, the carrier said Monday. As other airlines such as Delta and Independence Air are filing for bankruptcy, JetBlue is planning to sell 7.5 million shares for $18 each and will use the proceeds for working capital and capital expenditures, including the purchase of new aircraft. JetBlue, the second-largest U.S. airline by market value, has also offered underwriters Morgan Stanley and Raymond James an option to purchase up to an additional 1.125 million shares of common stock, which would generate an additional $20.25 million. In addition to purchasing new Embraer 190 aircraft, the carrier earlier announced plans to begin flying from New York to Boston, Austin, Texas and Richmond, Va., plus adding daily flights between New York and Buffalo and Burlinginton, Vt. JetBlue, along with other struggling upstart airlines, has faced the setback of high-energy costs, which it has said will result in a loss for the fourth quarter and all of 2005. On Tuesday JetBlue shares closed up 20 cents at $18.52 on the NASDAQ.