TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Breeze Airways launched its first nonstop flights from Tallahassee on Thursday, giving the Capital City its latest opportunity to expand commercial air service after years of struggling to attract and keep airlines.
The low-cost carrier began nonstop service from Tallahassee International Airport to Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Both routes will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with introductory one-way fares starting at $49.
The launch marks Breeze’s first service to Tallahassee and comes as city leaders continue efforts to improve air travel options in a market that has long been challenged by limited competition, high fares and the loss of previous carriers.
“The launch of Breeze Airways service is great news for Tallahassee and the entire region,” Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said in a statement. “This expansion of air service further strengthens our local economy, supports business growth, and makes it easier for residents to connect to destinations across the world.”
Leon County officials say Tallahassee International Airport has long faced decades of challenges maintaining consistent commercial service. While the airport is the primary gateway for state government, Florida State University and Florida A&M University, its relatively small passenger base has made it difficult to attract and retain airlines.
Industry analysts and airport officials have pointed to several factors that have contributed to those struggles, including airline consolidation, pilot and aircraft shortages, limited local demand compared with larger Florida markets and the number of travelers willing to drive to airports in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa or Panama City in search of lower fares and more nonstop destinations.
Those factors have helped keep Tallahassee among the more expensive airports in the country for domestic airfare, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data cited in previous reports.
The airport’s most significant setback in recent years came when JetBlue discontinued its Fort Lauderdale route after less than a year of service. The airline, which had been recruited for years by local officials, cited financial performance for ending the route, leaving Tallahassee once again without a low-cost carrier.
The loss prompted renewed efforts by city and county leaders to recruit additional airlines. Earlier this year, officials advanced plans for a multimillion-dollar air service incentive program designed to make Tallahassee more competitive with other communities that offer financial guarantees and marketing support to airlines launching new routes.
City Aviation Director David Pollard has previously said the airport cannot compel airlines to serve Tallahassee but instead must demonstrate sufficient passenger demand and create an attractive business case for carriers considering expansion.
“We are excited to welcome Breeze Airways to the Capital City as these new routes will benefit Tallahassee residents and the region,” Pollard said. “We look forward to building our partnership with Breeze and continue working to expand affordable, convenient air service options at the Tallahassee International Airport.”
Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman said the two new routes will connect Tallahassee travelers to the airline’s broader network.
“We are thrilled to welcome our Guests in Tallahassee on board and can’t wait for them to experience Breeze,” Neeleman said. “Both of these routes offer our Guests great access to our intra-Florida service as well as access to our crew base in Raleigh. We know Breeze’s high-value, low-cost model will be a hit for travelers in the community.”
Founded in 2021, Breeze operates more than 300 seasonal and year-round routes serving 91 cities in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The airline has focused on connecting underserved markets with nonstop service using its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Airport officials hope Breeze’s arrival will help reverse a pattern that has seen airlines enter the Tallahassee market only to leave after failing to generate enough traffic. They also hope the addition of another low-cost carrier will increase competition and provide travelers with more affordable options while encouraging fewer residents to drive to larger airports outside the region.