Breeze Airways brings commercial flights back to Arnold Palmer Airport

Breeze Airways Restores Commercial Flights to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

“It’s great. It’s great,” Maurice “Moe” Haas said with a smile, describing the relief of securing a new carrier. “You know, you can finally go out without anybody having questions, ‘Hey, when are we getting an airline?’ ‘Hey, when are we getting this?’ It’s been very hard and very trying. And we are finally in the place where we need to be.”

Commercial airline service is returning to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, early next year, as WJAC reported. Breeze Airways announced that it will launch nonstop flights connecting Westmoreland County to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida.

The new routes fill a commercial void left after Spirit Airlines shut down its operations at the facility, ending a 15-year tenure as the airport’s sole carrier. Haas stepped into his role as airport executive director just as Spirit departed last May, leaving the regional hub without scheduled flights.

Two-Year Partnership Brings Low-Cost Nonstop Routes

Breeze Airways has signed a two-year contract with the Westmoreland County Airport Authority that includes an option to extend. Under the agreement, the carrier will launch flights to Myrtle Beach on February 9, with one-way fares starting at $49. Service to Orlando follows on May 26, with introductory rates beginning at $59 one way.

Myrtle Beach flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays, while Orlando flights are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays. Passengers utilizing the new routes will board out of the airport’s newly completed terminal building. The airport also offers free short- and long-term parking for travelers.

Federal Funding and Grant Stipulations Secure the Return

The restoration of commercial service was aided by an $850,000 federal grant awarded to the airport. The funding came with the specific requirement that the money be used to restore commercial routes previously flown by Spirit Airlines between Latrobe and destinations in Florida and Myrtle Beach.

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler supported the airport’s grant application and welcomed the partnership with Breeze. “Arnold Palmer Regional Airport plays a vital role in connecting residents and businesses across southwestern Pennsylvania,” Reschenthaler stated, according to WJAC. “I was proud to support efforts to restore commercial air service after Spirit Airlines ceased operations, including the airport’s application for an $850,000 federal grant to help attract a new carrier.”

Expansion Plans and Track Record for the Carrier

Brian McCormick, director of airport properties for Breeze, stated that the airline maintains a strong retention rate in smaller regional markets. In its first five years of operation, the carrier has expanded to 95 airports while exiting only five markets.

Breeze operates a fleet of more than 60 aircraft across more than 300 routes. The airline plans to introduce brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft capable of non-stop flights up to 3,000 nautical miles, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and seating classes ranging from first-class to coach.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Flights

When do tickets go on sale for Breeze Airways flights at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport?

Tickets are currently available for purchase for February flights to Myrtle Beach and May flights to Orlando through the Breeze Airways website and mobile app.

What aircraft and amenities will passengers experience on these routes?

Breeze operates a modern fleet that includes Airbus A220-300 aircraft equipped with fast Wi-Fi and multiple seating options from first-class to coach.

What other airports does Breeze serve in the region?

Breeze recently expanded its nonstop services from Pittsburgh International Airport to Vero Beach, Florida; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Cancún, Mexico.