The US startup airline Breeze Airlines revealed its initial network and set the date for the inaugural flight.
Breeze Airlines continues building its network of nonstop routes between various domestic destinations in the United States. The air carrier has already scheduled its inaugural flight from Tampa International Airport (TPA), Florida to Charleston International Airport (CHS), South Carolina on May 27, 2021. The same day the air carrier will launch another two routes from Charleston International Airport (CHS), South Carolina, and Hartford-Brainard Airport (HND), Connecticut.
According to the initial Breeze Airways network map, found on its website, the startup airline plans to serve 39 routes between 16 cities across the US. The airline announced that a majority of its routes currently have no existing direct services, as the air carrier‘s main business idea is to focus on operating to “underserved routes across [the country] at affordable fares.”
The second set of operations to 12 destinations are scheduled to be launched in June 2021, with the other part of expected routes to be added to the Breeze Airways network gradually.
As for the aircraft fleet, Breeze Airways currently has 4 Embraer ERJ-190s and 2 Embraer ERJ-195 jets. The air carrier also expects to add 5 more leased jets of the type, Planespotters.com data shows.
In late April 2021, the company hinted at plans to expand the fleet by an additional 20 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, bringing the total order to 80 A220 jets. The rumors regarding a possible purchase had been reinforced by an update of the Airbus orders list, which showed that an undisclosed buyer ordered 20 A220 planes.
A new Airbus A220 order could make the startup airline the second-largest customer for the type after Delta Air Lines which ordered a total of 95 A220s. The airline reportedly expects the first delivery for October 2021.
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Breeze Airways was due to launch its first flights in the second half of 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the launch to the summer season of 2021.
The startup airline was founded by David Neeleman, who has already set up four more air carriers, namely JetBlue Airways, WestJet, Morris Air, and Azul Brazillian. The company, which was previously known as Moxy and renamed itself in February 2021, is expected to ignite a new competition with already existing US air carriers focusing on domestic services.