Less than 12 hours ago I posted about how Avelo was launching flights between its base at Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). At the time, I speculated that we could see Breeze make some retaliatory moves against Avelo as the next step in the two airlines’ fight for dominance. However, I certainly wasn’t expecting a response so soon.
Breeze Airways announced via a post on Twitter/X that the carrier would be adding new, nonstop flights from Avelo’s base in New Haven to a wide variety of destinations. The airline is adding ten new direct routes from New Haven that will be phased in between December and February.
Nice. New. New Haven. 💙
— Breeze Airways (@BreezeAirways) August 13, 2024
We’re growing in New England with our new nonstop flights from New Haven.
Check out the new routes below.👇 https://t.co/VGEPLO2J0Z#NewHavenCT #BreezeAirways #TravelNews pic.twitter.com/IkeL8jv6Jd
Breeze will be competing directly with Avelo on at least six new routes once they begin flights from New Haven. The new routes are expected to launch with the following frequencies listed below:
| Route | Begins | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) | 12/10/2024 | 5x weekly |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | 12/11/2024 | 5x weekly |
| Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) | 12/11/2024 | 5x weekly |
| Vero Beach Airport (VRB) | 12/13/2024 | 2x weekly |
| Charleston International Airport (CHS) | 2/6/2025 | 4x weekly |
| Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) | 2/6/2025 | 2x weekly |
| Norfolk International Airport (ORF) | 2/6/2025 | 2x weekly |
| Richmond International Airport (RIC) | 2/6/2025 | 2x weekly |
| Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) | 2/7/2025 | 2x weekly |
| Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) | 2/7/2025 | 2x weekly |
Flights will be operated by Airbus A220 family aircraft. In addition to the ten new, direct routes, Breeze announced one-stop “BreezeThru” service between New Haven and New Orleans which will operate via Richmond International Airport (RIC). All of these routes are currently on sale at flybreeze.com.
With all of this competition between low-cost carrier (LCC) Breeze and and ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Avelo, fares on these routes will likely remain low and I believe it is highly unlikely that both airlines will continue to operate these routes long-term. Avelo has carved out quite a large operation in New Haven and I expect them to defend it aggressively against Breeze and any other new entrants.
Summary
Breeze Airways has announced a massive expansion from one of Avelo’s largest bases. The Utah based carrier, founded by serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman (Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue, and Azul) is adding ten new nonstop routes from New Haven, most of which compete directly against Avelo. It will be interesting to see how this battle heats up and whether or not either airline plans to back off.
(Images courtesy Avelo Airlines and Lorenz von Schimonsky. you can find more of his work on Instagram at @abia.spotter)
