Breeze Airways (MX, Salt Lake City) has announced it will open a new base at Providence, Rhode Island state, with up to eight A220-300s in 2023, enabling it to expand its network from there over five years.
The announcement was made jointly on August 9 by Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey. They said the airline would base six to eight aircraft at the airport, most of which would be A220-300s. It will grow its network from the current eight existing or announced routes to 20 or more routes over five years. The airline aims to offer 20 weekly departures by the end of 2023, reaching 44 weekly departures by 2027. The destinations were not announced.
Rhode Island will benefit from up to 250 new permanent airport jobs, economic and tax revenue benefits generated by more routes, increased tourism-related employment and revenue, expanded options for business and leisure travel, and increased state hotel tax revenue.
“Since launching here a year ago, the community, the airport and the state of Rhode Island have fully embraced Breeze - making it one of our fastest growing cities,” commented Doxey.
Breeze Airways began service in May 2021 from 16 destinations, primarily in the east and southeast of the United States. In 2022, the carrier expanded west across the US, including coast-to-coast flights, and now offers 87 nonstop routes between 30 cities in 18 states.
Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze Airways operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, including seven A220-300s with 73 more of the type to be delivered, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. Its regional fleet includes ten ERJ 190-100ARs, three E195ARs, and a single E195LR. Its business model revolves around providing efficient and affordable flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times.
To help launch and support the new base, Breeze Airways is expected to apply for tax credits under the US Qualified Jobs Incentive Programme, in terms of which the airline could receive support of up to USD300,000 per year for ten years.
Breeze Airways is also expected to apply for funds through the Air Service Development Fund for incentives to help with ground handling operations of opening a base at Providence airport.
