Breeze Airways Announces Expansion to Rhode Island and West Virginia Airports

Breeze Airways, the start-up airline from JetBlue founder David Neeleman, is expanding its reach with two new destinations. The airline has opened a “base” at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport and plans to add more routes over the next five years. Additionally, Breeze Airways is coming to West Virginia International Yeager Airport, providing new flights to Charleston, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida.

Breeze Airways Base Opens in Rhode Island

Breeze Airways has established a base at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport with a team that includes pilots, maintenance workers, flight attendants, and ground staff. The airline will fly directly to six cities from Green and will add five more routes by May 18th and three more flights by July 14th to cover a total of 16 routes. Aiming to primarily target vacationers instead of business travelers, some flights such as Los Angeles are seasonal due to peak leisure time during the summer.

The airline is receiving incentives and reimbursements from the state of Rhode Island that totals $1.2 million per year over five years for marketing the airline through the Air Service Development Fund. They will also receive $2 million from the same fund over three years for “ground handling.” The state has further approved roughly $300,000 per year in tax credits under the Qualified Jobs program in addition to reimbursing Breeze $3.5 million for terminal modifications.

Breeze Airways Adds West Virginia Airports

Breeze Airways aims to operate nonstop flights between smaller markets that lack direct air connectivity. The start-up airline began operations last year with a fleet of Embraer E190 and E195 regional jets before adding its first new Airbus A220 earlier this year that has the range to connect any two cities in the Continental U.S. Breeze Airways will now be providing flights from Charleston, West Virginia on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 31 to South Carolina and Orlando, Florida, with the hope of doubling connectivity at Yeager Airport.

The partnership between the airline and airports in West Virginia came together following a joint effort between the airport, the State of West Virginia, the Kanawha County Commission, and the City of Charleston. David Neeleman’s start-up airline from JetBlue plans to add at least three other cities, including New York and the west coast, over the next 24 months.

Governor Jim Justice stated that airports in West Virginia are vital for both the economy and tourism. Breeze Airways’ point-to-point operating model provides nonstop service between underserved routes across the United States at affordable fares.

In conclusion, Breeze Airways is expanding its reach by opening a “base” in Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport and coming to West Virginia International Yeager Airport to boost connectivity between smaller markets. As a start-up airline targeting primarily vacationers with affordable fares and nonstop service, their growth is indicative of their successful operating model.

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