Breeze Airways, a startup carrier in the United States, has announced a major overhaul of its route map, adding seven new airports to its network. This expansion includes the addition of 14 new routes, which will significantly increase Breeze’s reach across the country. The new airports being added to Breeze’s network are Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in Vermont, Evansville Regional Airport in Indiana, Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado, Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport in Wisconsin, Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina, New York Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, New York, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport in Pennsylvania.
The addition of these airports is significant for both Breeze Airways and the communities they serve. For example, New York Stewart International Airport has struggled to retain traditional airline service and has been primarily served by Allegiant, Play, and Atlantic Airways. Breeze’s flights to Charleston, South Carolina, and Orlando will provide the airport with a new destination and potential connection opportunities. This expansion also strengthens Breeze’s presence in the greater New York City area, as the airline already operates flights from Long Island MacArthur Airport and Westchester County Airport.
Another noteworthy addition is Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, which comes just a week after JetBlue announced its departure from the airport. Breeze’s flights to Orlando and Tampa will not completely replace the connectivity offered by JetBlue, but the two airlines do share a common link – they were both founded by David Neeleman, a serial airline entrepreneur.
Myrtle Beach International Airport is another interesting addition to Breeze’s network. As a leisure-focused airline, Breeze’s decision to serve the beach and golf resort of Myrtle Beach comes as no surprise. However, what makes this addition unique is that Breeze will join fellow startup Avelo in serving the airport, making it one of the few airports outside Florida to be served by both airlines. It’s worth noting that Breeze and Avelo won’t compete on any routes from Myrtle Beach, at least for now.
Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport in northeast Pennsylvania is a small airport that has struggled to maintain airline service. The addition of Breeze as the third airline to serve the airport, alongside American and United, is a significant development. Breeze’s flights to Orlando will also become the longest regularly scheduled service at the airport.
While Breeze is expanding its network by adding new airports and routes, it is also making a strategic decision to cut one route. The nonstop service between Tampa and Charleston, West Virginia, will be discontinued. However, Breeze will still offer service from Charleston to Tampa via a one-stop “BreezeThru” service, connecting through its new route from Charleston to Myrtle Beach.
In summary, Breeze Airways’ route map is undergoing a major overhaul with the addition of seven new airports and the expansion of its network with 14 new routes. This expansion will significantly increase Breeze’s presence across the nation and provide new travel options for passengers in various regions. The addition of airports like New York Stewart International, Burlington International, Myrtle Beach International, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International demonstrates Breeze’s commitment to serving both major and smaller markets. As Breeze continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how it further expands its network and impacts the aviation industry in the United States.