Plans to expand PVD as a hub with 35 routes, 400 jobs, and 1 million annual passengers over the next five years
Warwick, RI – May 22, 2024 – Officials from the State of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) today joined together to celebrate the announcement by David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ Founder, and CEO, to significantly expand operations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) and have the airport serve as a connecting travel hub for the growing airline. Today’s announcement of more routes, more jobs, and more passengers was made just three years after Breeze Airways selected PVD as one of the start-up airline’s 16 inaugural airports.
Two years ago, Breeze Airways announced a commitment to grow operations over the following five years with up to 20 nonstop routes, 44 departing flights per week, one West Coast route, six based aircraft, and 200 to 250 jobs. As Breeze Airways celebrates its 3rd anniversary at PVD, the airline has already met or exceeded many of those goals, with six based aircraft, 18 nonstop routes, two western destinations, 120 flights per week, 205 jobs, and 278,000 annual passengers, all in advance of their 2027 goals.
Under a new agreement, over the next five years, Breeze Airways would offer a total of 35 underserved or unserved nonstop routes, among them seven routes to destinations west of the Mississippi and up to 12 locally-based aircraft flying 200 flights per week. Additionally, at least three of the 35 Breeze destinations within the next five years will be international destinations. In order to provide seamless connections with other airlines, Breeze Airways will pursue “interline agreements” with international carriers over the next three years. This development will allow PVD to become a connecting hub for the airline and its partners as domestic and international travel grows. The expansion of operations and service is expected to result in up to one million passengers at PVD annually and up to 400 jobs over the next ten years.
“Breeze Airways’ exceptional performance at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is a wonderful success story, not just for the airline, but for Rhode Island and all of Southern New England,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “Breeze Airways exceeded expectations for enhanced air service and expanded employment, and we look forward to the continued growth of new jobs and new routes to new destinations made possible through this agreement.”
“What a day as we continue to grow Breeze’s base of operations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, which has essentially already been doubling in size each year,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ Founder and CEO. “We are so grateful to Governor McKee, the Speaker, Senate President, and General Assembly, and to Iftikhar and the whole team at the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for the support from day one for helping make this happen and, of course, to the traveling public here in Rhode Island who have embraced Breeze’s growth and made us part of the community.”
“This is an exciting day for Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We’re proud to be home to one of the top ten airports in the World and we’re even prouder to have Breeze Airways expanding its footprint in our state. This expansion will bring in more economic activity, more good-paying jobs, more routes, more visitors, and help set Rhode Island up as a true destination state.”
This is more good news for the state, the airport, and consumers. Breeze’s significant and growing presence here as a base of operations is another example of the federal investments in our state’s airport infrastructure paying real dividends,” said U. S. Senator Jack Reed.
“This is tremendous news for Rhode Island as we celebrate the success of both a growing airline and our local airport,” said Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “In just three years, Breeze Airways has already demonstrated a winning track record that provides tangible benefits for our economy, helping to foster improved tourism between regions, as well as providing convenient inter-continental connections between Rhode Island and the nation, and we look forward to building upon our shared success.”
“We are thrilled that Breeze Airways has brought so many new jobs, routes, and visitors to our state,” said Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. “Senate leadership has a longstanding commitment to supporting our travel and tourism economy, and we are pleased to see the return on investment.”
“We could not be more thrilled with Breeze Airways’ success at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport and are proud to have been selected as a connecting hub,” said RIAC Board Chair Jonathan Savage. “Breeze Airways’ high quality, affordable air service has been embraced by travelers far and wide, and we are excited for what the future holds as Breeze continues to expand operations and enhance economic opportunities for Rhode Island.”
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation reminds the public that Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is also in the running for the Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) Readers’ Choice Awards. Condé Nast Traveler is again offering an exciting giveaway, offering survey participants a chance to win a 13-day journey through Antarctica or a 15-day tour of the Great Lakes with Viking Cruises with an approximate retail value of $30,988. Voting is open now through June 30, 2024, at cntraveler.com/vote.
About Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport: A convenient and low-cost gateway to New England, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has a large catchment area with 7.5 million residents within 90 minutes of the airport. It attracts passengers from nearby Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. PVD is located just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. Well known for ease of traveler access, affordable parking, and faster security lines, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is frequently named as one of USA TODAY’s “Readers’ Choice Best Small Airports” and has earned further distinction as a “Top Three” airport in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards.” Most recently, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport was named one of the Top 3 Airports in the U.S. and Top Ten in the World by the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards for 2023. More information is available at https://flyri.com/.
