CENTRE COUNTY — A new campaign is taking off in Centre County, and it could lead to a direct flight from State College to one of the most popular destinations in the country: Florida.
The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County (CBICC) and The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) have launched a community pledge drive aimed at bringing Breeze Airways to the State College Regional Airport (SCE).
If successful, Breeze would offer nonstop flights to Orlando International Airport twice a week starting this fall, with the potential to add even more flights and destinations down the line.
“As outlined in Centre County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, there is a need in our area to advance air service to improve our region’s connectivity for residents, businesses and travelers alike,” CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott said in a press release.
The campaign hinges on community involvement. Residents, students, local businesses and organizations were asked to show their support by completing a non-binding pledge form indicating their interest in using the new Breeze route. It’s not a ticket purchase, just a show of hands that could help seal the deal.
“In collaboration with airport sponsors and community partners, we will continue working to attract and retain valuable air service to our region,” Scott said.
The flight would be a game-changer for both locals and the region’s booming tourism economy. Easy access to Orlando, which is home to Disney World, Universal Studios and dozens of beach locations, means more family travel options, business connections and economic impact.
“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 press release. “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 community pledge form closed on Tuesday, July 15, and as of Monday, July 14, there were over 1,800 responses toward non-binding pledges, which has shown a high community interest. Those pledges, should this service be enacted, would total over 6,000 potential flights from State College to Florida annually.
