With a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate scheduled air transportation of persons, property, and mail freshly issued to to Breeze Airways, the carrier inches ever closer to launching operations. And it now seems like we might know which east coast airport will be the first operating base.
Reports out of Utah suggest that Charleston, South Carolina is the likely home base from which the airline will launch its operations in the next few months. Other potential locations tipped include Panama City and Tampa, Florida.
A public affairs representative for Charleston International Airport was not aware of any imminent launch of service when queried. A spokesperson suggests that they might be “placeholders” to talk about likely areas or regions.
In prior analysis of theoretical schedules published by the airline PaxEx.Aero suggested that Myrtle Beach, Mobile, and Melbourne could fit the company’s plans. Charleston, Panama City, and Tampa are sufficiently close to those three, respectively, that most of the route timings from the initial filing still work. Regarding the Melbourne/Tampa swap, crossing to the west coast of Florida opens up significantly more potential from Midwest markets while keeping options to Disney and the Northeast open.
Most significantly, however, they represent strong leisure markets that could support an increase in traffic, particularly flights that skip hub airports with non-stop service at lower prices.
Not quite yet…
Whether these are the hub airports or not, we’re still several weeks out from Breeze even talking about its services according to a company spokesperson. The carrier must still complete its test flights and other FAA requirements before it can sell and operate flights.
The carrier is approved by the Department of Transportation to operate up to 22 aircraft as it launches operations. It took delivery of its first E195 in December and its first E190 in early February. Additional Embraer E-Jets are expected to join the operations early this year, followed by the company’s A220 fleet introduction towards the end of 2021.
News of the potential initial bases also comes as Breeze expands the pool of eligible candidates for its college-based flight attendant corps. When the program launched in December 2020 it included a 20 year age minimum for all potential new hires. That threshold now stands at 18 years old, including many more Utah Valley University students. The rules about full time enrollment, minimum GPA and other factors still apply.
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Robert Ravener says
Islip will be their maintenance hub. They’rrcertainly not going to deadhead there.
Seth Miller says
I agree it is likely ISP ends up a transcon hub for the company and the A220-300 makes that work nicely. And the E190/195 routes will probably include ISP. But it won’t be a true base at launch. Those are slated for the south.
Eduardo Torrado says
Possible chance that it flies to Greater Rochester International Airport (KROC) ?
Seth Miller says
Higher than zero, for sure.
A little on the smaller side as markets go, but it has potential as things grow. I would be surprised in ROC makes it in the first round of routes.
Michael says
Didn’t I read somewhere that they are not interested in the traditional hub system as this has caused some regions to be severely underserved or woefully neglected? It is that under served market that is supposed to be their focus?
Seth Miller says
They won’t be hubs (at least initially) in the sense of connecting passengers through to serve onward destinations. But they will be “hubs” in that they are where planes and crew are based and where routes are focused to funnel travelers to.
Robert says
There’s enough buzz here in Utah that even my wife commented about job opportunities with them 🙂
Seth Miller says
But not as a FA, right? Or is she planning to go back to school?? 😀
Manuela Meeder says
What about Breeze coming to Sanford or Daytona Beach Florida? Any chance for this to happen!!
Seth Miller says
I would bet MLB over DAB/SFB, but anything is possible. We should have more details in a few weeks.
Bob says
Do they have a chance at flying out of CLT?
Seth Miller says
I’d put that lower than some of the other options right now.
Glenn Rodomista says
WHAT ABOUT DAYTONA FROM ISLIP LOTS OP PEOPLE IN FLAGLER COUNTY WE NEED FLIGHTS FROM ISIP TO DAYTONA ASAP!!!!