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Today Breeze Airways, the new U.S. Carrier from JetBlue founder David Neeleman, announced Louisville will be one of the airline’s first launch cities. Breeze will offer year-round, nonstop flights to Charleston, SC (CHS), New Orleans (MSY) and Tampa (TPA) from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). This announcement builds on the exceptional airline growth at SDF over the past three years.
Launching in 16 cities across the country, Breeze Airways is a new airline started by Neeleman, who is a successful entrepreneur and veteran airline executive. Based in Salt Lake City, the airline aims at providing low fare, point-to-point service between cities and proudly claims to be the “world’s nicest airline” with a strong focus on customer service.
“We welcome Breeze to the SDF family,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “David Neeleman’s success at starting new airlines is unparalleled. To be a launch city for this new airline with multiple routes is a testament not only to the strength of our market, but to the long-term opportunities they see in Louisville for business and leisure travelers. We look forward to a successful partnership with Breeze in the years ahead.”
Breeze Airways marks the fifth airline founded by Neeleman, following success with major U.S. airline JetBlue as well as WestJet, Azul and Morris Air. WestJet is Canada’s second largest airline following Air Canada, Azul is Brazil’s number two domestic airline and Southwest Airlines purchased Morris Air from Neeleman in 1993.
“I’m so excited to welcome Breeze Airways to Team Kentucky,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “With the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines being administered daily, it is becoming safer to welcome more visitors back to the Commonwealth. Now, visitors and Kentuckians alike will have more flight options with the addition of Breeze Airways. Thank you for helping us build a better Kentucky.”
“It’s exciting for Louisville to be a launch city for Breeze Airways, adding to our growing network of connections, which is great for attracting businesses and new visitors,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Congratulations to our Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport team for the work they’re doing to create partnerships like this and more traveling options for our residents.”
Nonstop service from Louisville to Charleston and Tampa will begin on Friday,
May 28, followed by service to New Orleans on Thursday, July 15. Service will be operated four-times weekly to each destination year-round with flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays using an Embraer E190/195 with 108 and 118-seats. Tickets are currently on sale at www.FlyBreeze.com. Already planning for growth, the airline ordered 60 brand new Airbus A220 aircraft that will be delivered beginning in Fall 2021 throughout the next five years.
With the addition of Breeze Airways, SDF offers 35 nonstop destinations on eight airlines for area travelers. SDF continues to outpace the national average for returning capacity. Beginning in June, Louisville will be at nearly 100% of pre-pandemic travel levels, while national capacity is still down 20%.
“This is another great day for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport,” said Dale Boden, Chairman of the Airport Authority Board. “The momentum just continues to build at SDF with another new airline and a record-high number of destinations. I applaud Dan and the entire SDF team for their hard work to make this happen.”
About the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is owned and operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. Eight commercial airlines offer nonstop service to 35 nonstop destinations from Louisville. SDF is home to UPS Worldport, moving millions of tons of product each year, making it the 3rd busiest cargo airport in North America and 5th in the world. Aviation is an economic powerhouse for the region that generates
$10.4 billion in economic impact every year. One in 8 jobs is generated by the airports and their aviation partners. Visit FlyLouisville.com to learn more.
About Breeze Airways
Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze Airways is a new low-cost airline offering point-to-point flights from smaller, secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. Breeze’s team is a group of aviation experts and fanatics, working day and night to build a ‘Seriously Nice’ airline. Breeze’s mission is to make the world of travel simple, affordable and convenient, using technology, ingenuity and kindness to improve the travel experience. For tickets, employment details or more information, visit www.FlyBreeze.com.
