Centre County business organizations and State College Regional Airport officials are hoping to bring to the area a new low-cost airline offering flights to Orlando, Florida, and they’re asking community members to help show support for the service.
Breeze Airways is “actively considering bringing service to State College Regional Airport this fall,” the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau wrote in a letter to members on Wednesday. It would be the first service from State College to a Florida destination since Allegiant Air ended its flights to Orlando and St. Petersburg in 2022.
Airport and business leaders are initially seeking two flights a week from State College to Orlando International Airport (MCO) twice, with the possibility of additional flights to Orlando or other destinations, including Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, in the near future.
As part of the proposal to attract Breeze, the CBICC and HVAB are asking community members to make a non-binding pledge that they would fly Breeze Airways, along with their estimated number of annual flight. Pledges can be made by filling out a form online until July 15.
“The continued growth of visitation to Happy Valley depends on our region’s ability to invest in options that improve access and make it easier for more visitors to experience our attractions, events and hospitality,” Fritz Smith, HVAB President and CEO, said in a statement. “Demonstrating community support for this new air service route is essential to further grow our tourism economy and increase our competitiveness as a leisure, conference and sports destination.”
The pledges to fly Breeze are part of an larger attraction proposal initiated by investors including the CBICC and HVAB.
“As a critical focus of Centre County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, improved air service helps grow our economy, supports local families, and enhances our ability to attract visitors, talent, and investment,” CBICC President and CEO Gregory A. Scott said in a statement. “Our community’s proposal to attract new air service is a chance for us to make major strides towards these goals.”
The local proposal to Breeze will include a financial incentive package, similar to one put together for an unsuccessful bid in recent years for American Airlines to add regular flights from State College to Charlotte.
Among the commitments to the incentive package, Benner Township approved $7,000 in May and Bellefonte approved $5,000 on Monday. Centre County Airport Authority Board member and Bellefonte Borough Councilman Doug Johnson said in presenting the contribution proposal that about $107,000 had been committed so far to the financial incentive.
“This isn’t unusual for airlines to ask for incentives,” Johnson said. “This happens every day. That’s how you attract them to your airport… The more incentive money we have the better.”
The financial goal is a “moving target,” Centre County Airport Authority Executive Director Ralph Stewart said, and Johnson noted that State College is competing with about 10 other regional airports for Breeze service.
FAA rules mostly prevent from providing direct financial assistance as an incentive for new airlines. So a community-led commitment will provide a minimum revenue guarantee that gives some financial assurance for Breeze, Airport Authority Executive Director Ralph Stewart said.
The minimum revenue guarantee specifies an amount the airline will generate from ticket sales at the airport on a monthly basis over a one-to-two-year period, Stewart explained. If sales do not meet that amount, they would receive a payment from the account held by the CBICC.
“Airlines really favor that because it lowers the risk of coming into a new area and getting off the ground,” Stewart said.
The airport can, however, waive airline fees and charges for a two-year period of time and can support marketing. Johnson said fee waivers total about $500,000
“We’re really doing everything we’re allowed to do,” Stewart said.
If State College is not selected by Breeze for service starting this fall, it could be considered again next spring, Johnson said.
“We’ve had several positive talks with Breeze and they’re very interested in servicing this community,” he said. “And we really are lacking that low-cost carrier. It would be a pretty good deal.”
Stewart added that the pursuit of Breeze is part of a larger effort for airline development at State College Regional Airport.
“We’re very excited about this opportunity and we think there will be many more in the future,” he said.
Launched in 2021 by Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, Breeze Airways currently flies to nearly 80 destinations in the United States. In Pennsylvania, it operates at Pittsburgh, Erie, Wilkes-Barre Scranton and Lancaster airports.
State College Regional Airport currently offers regular flights on American Airlines to Philadelphia and United to Chicago and Washington Dulles.
