Tweed-New Haven Airport announced the addition of a second commercial airline on August 13.
Breeze Airways will begin operating flights from Tweed in December, with nonstop flights to 10 destinations available by spring.
“We’re expecting really strong demand from there,” said Lukas Johnson, Breeze’s chief commercial officer. “From day one, our plan has been to drive significant growth across the Northeast.”
Breeze is based in Salt Lake City and currently operates from Bradley International Airport, Westchester County Airport, and airports in Providence (RI), Manchester and Portsmouth (NH), Burlington (VT), Portland (ME), and Newburgh, Islip and Plattsburgh (NY).
The announcement comes as Avport, which operates Tweed, and local officials continue their efforts to expand options for area residents.
Last December, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved plans to modernize Tweed, which include extending the runway and building a modern, environmentally friendly terminal.
Expansion efforts
Since resuming commercial flights in 2021 with Avelo Airlines, the airport has supported millions of flights and more than 300 jobs.
“The improvements at HVN over the past few years have created jobs and increased passenger convenience. The addition of Breeze will only further the incredible progress and growth we have seen over the past few years,” said Jorge Roberts, CEO of Avports.
Chris DiPentima, president and CEO of CBIA, said the expansion efforts would contribute to economic growth.
“The ability to move around our state and operate within and outside of our state is what attracts companies.”
Chris DiPentima of CBIA
“This is what Connecticut businesses and their workforces have been demanding for many years,” DiPentima said.
“The ability to move around our state and the ability to move in and out of our state is what attracts businesses and individuals to the state.”
Avelo, which recently expanded to Bradley, also announced new service to New Orleans and expanded service to Puerto Rico this week.
Tweed is Avelo’s largest base with 26 non-stop destinations and a workforce of over 250 employees.
Trajectory
The engines for Breeze Airway flights are manufactured in Connecticut.
Breeze will operate Airbus A220s powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PZ1500G geared turbofan engines.
The PZ1500G engine is not only much quieter than conventional commercial engines, but also consumes less fuel.
Breeze will begin operations in Tweed in December and offer flights to Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Orlando and Vero Beach.
In February, the airline will add additional flights to Charlestown, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Richmond, Raleigh and Sarasota.
