Article by Megan Fernandes/Staff
Less than four years after launching its first routes, Breeze Airways reported its first full quarter of operating profit — and as the carrier's largest market, Charleston has played a role in its success as a startup.
More than 4.2 million travelers flew through the carrier's network last year, with about 675,000 of them passing through Charleston International. Roughly 7,000 Breeze flights covering 25 city pairings originated at CHS, the company said this week.
The low-cost carrier offers nonstop service across a network of small-to-mid-sized airports. The point-to-point operating model connects underserved markets that typically can't attract many direct flights.
Lukas Johnson, chief commercial officer at Breeze, said because Charleston was the airline's first destination, it has amassed a following of returning passengers. The inaugural flight on May 27, 2021, took off from Tampa, Fla., and landed in the Lowcountry.
Johnson said Breeze's plan includes "more cities and more growth," noting that includes an expansion of its Charleston base.
"Having non-stop to so many different destinations is key," Johnson said. "Charleston is a destination for a lot of these smaller markets, but there's also a lot of people locally who want to travel — whether it's to somewhere new or to visit a city they relocated from."
It is some of the many data points that factor into the decisions airlines make on where and how to expand operations.
Johnson said Breeze's identity as "a high-value, lower-cost carrier" has been one travelers have been drawn to in an industry where the approach traditionally has been an either-or situation.
Another priority has been adding nonstop destinations in highly desirable year-round and seasonal destinations, to open opportunities in new markets to travel with lower fares and fewer layovers.
Charleston airport leaders have said studies show travelers will drive farther if it means getting a straight-shot ticket.
Breeze launched several new routes out of Charleston last year to Los Angeles and Manchester, N.H. Another new route, to New Haven, Conn., starts up Feb. 6, right before the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition kicks off the 2025 tourism season.
Johnson said the LAX-Charleston route had a successful launch last year, and the interest in coast-to-coast connectivity through Breeze is robust.
In total, the airline added 29 new destinations across its network last year. Breeze leaders also said they're looking to add international service in the year ahead.
CHS is the carrier’s largest operational base, employing 1,600 workers locally.
David Neeleman, the airline's founder and CEO who previously started JetBlue, called the profitable quarter a "major accomplishment" for the company and proof that its business model is "not just working, but thriving."
“In under four years, we have managed to grow and expand Breeze at an unprecedented rate while establishing a robust presence in dozens of underserved markets across the U.S." Neeleman said in a statement.
The airline is building a fleet of brand-new Airbus A220 jets. In 2024, Breeze took delivery of 13 A220s, for a total of 33 A220s now in its fleet. The airline has 90 firm orders with options for 30 more through 2028, according to Breeze.
The airline also launched its co-branded Visa credit card last year, added a lower 'No Flex' base fare, expanded its loyalty program and was ranked as the No. 3 Best Domestic Airline by Travel + Leisure.
Attracting more nonstop and international routes has been a growth strategy for CHS and a driver in its record-breaking passenger numbers. Airport CEO Elliott Summey has previously said Breeze's expanding nonstop schedule has increased CHS's connectivity to other markets, expanded its catchment area and "turned heads."
Nonstop routes added by both legacy and budget airlines have paved the way for the two international routes at CHS for next year. In the spring, Air Canada will return with Toronto service for its second season, and BermudAir will offer the airport's first-ever Bermuda nonstop.