Breeze Airways Cuts Three West Coast Routes Earlier than First Flight, Plans Main Growth

Breeze Airways has pulled three deliberate west coast routes from its schedule earlier than inaugural flights might start, whereas concurrently asserting a serious west coast enlargement that may see the airline take over a number of markets deserted by rival Avelo Airways.

The David Neeleman-founded provider had initially deliberate to launch service from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Eugene, Oregon; Pasco, Washington; and Redmond, Oregon in March 2025. Nonetheless, all three routes have now been faraway from sale, with Eugene and Pasco airports solely disappearing from Breeze’s route map.

Alaska Airways Competitors Impacts Plans

The route cancellations come as Alaska Airways launched each day flights on the Embraer E175 to those identical markets, creating aggressive stress that Breeze decided would make the routes unviable. Business analysts observe that the skinny markets can not assist a number of airways, forcing Breeze to rethink its preliminary technique.

“Airways typically enter ready-made markets after one other operator pulls out, however you’ll be able to’t be stunned that Breeze gained’t now serve them,” in keeping with aviation business observers. The three affected routes symbolize comparatively small markets with restricted passenger demand when going through direct competitors from established carriers.

Strategic Pivot to Avelo’s Former Routes

In a dramatic strategic shift introduced in July 2025, Breeze revealed plans for a complete west coast enlargement starting March 2026, focusing on 5 new cities and 7 routes primarily targeted on markets that Avelo Airways will abandon by December 2025.

The formidable enlargement consists of new service to Hollywood Burbank Airport, California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (Arcata), Redmond Municipal Airport close to Bend, Eugene Airport in Oregon, and Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington, successfully masking 4 of the 5 routes Avelo beforehand operated from Burbank.

Complete Route Community

Breeze’s new west coast operation will characteristic a number of routing choices:

From Burbank:

• Arcata/Eureka: 3 weekly flights (March 12)
• Provo, Utah: 5 weekly flights (March 11)
• Eugene: 2 weekly flights (March 19)
• Pasco/Tri-Cities: 2 weekly flights (March 18)
• Redmond: 2 weekly flights (March 13)

From Las Vegas:

• Arcata/Eureka: 2 weekly flights (March 11)
• Lincoln, California: 2 weekly flights (April 8)
• Orange County: As much as each day flights (March 9)
• Twin Falls, Idaho: 2 weekly flights (March 6)

Extra West Coast Connections: The airline can even function “BreezeThru” connections (one-stop, no plane change) routing primarily by way of Provo, Utah, offering expanded connectivity throughout its community.

Market Dynamics and Efficiency Information

U.S. Division of Transportation knowledge reveals the underlying market situations that influenced each airways’ choices. On Avelo’s terminated routes, the provider achieved load elements of 80% or larger on 4 of 5 routes from Burbank, together with:

• Burbank-Arcata/Eureka: 56,600 passengers, 80% load issue
• Burbank-Eugene: 50,000 passengers, 80% load issue
• Burbank-Pasco: 30,800 passengers, 82% load issue
• Burbank-Redmond: 47,100 passengers, 83% load issue

Regardless of sturdy load elements, Avelo decided these routes couldn’t generate enough monetary returns within the aggressive setting, resulting in their resolution to exit the west coast solely.

Operational Technique Variations

Breeze plans to function with decrease frequencies than Avelo whereas utilizing smaller Airbus A220-300 plane seating 137 passengers, in comparison with Avelo’s Boeing 737-700s with 147 seats. This capability discount technique goals to enhance route economics whereas sustaining important air service to underserved communities.

“With an expanded West Coast presence that connects vacationers to our broader nationwide community, Breeze’s service will carry much more choices and comfort to those underserved communities,” mentioned CEO David Neeleman.

Market Timing and Progress Context

The enlargement comes as Breeze reported its first quarterly revenue in Q2 2025, offering monetary stability for the formidable progress plans. The airline expects to take supply of 16 new A220s by the top of 2025, with seven already obtained and 9 extra arriving earlier than year-end.

The timing additionally capitalizes on Avelo’s strategic retreat from the west coast, the place the Houston-based provider confronted mounting monetary pressures regardless of working from Burbank since its first flight in April 2021.

Business Implications

The route modifications spotlight the difficult economics going through ultra-low-cost carriers in skinny markets. Whereas established carriers like Alaska Airways can maintain service with bigger plane and connecting site visitors, new entrants should rigorously choose routes that may assist their particular operational fashions.

Breeze’s capacity to rapidly pivot from aggressive markets to deserted routes demonstrates the agility that has characterised CEO David Neeleman’s method throughout a number of airline ventures. The enlargement will carry Breeze’s community to greater than 300 routes throughout 76 cities in 34 states.

For passengers in affected markets, the transition means continued air service connectivity, although with completely different frequency patterns and doubtlessly completely different fare buildings as Breeze implements its à-la-carte pricing mannequin targeted on secondary markets and point-to-point service.