New flights could be coming to State College’s airport — with enough interest. How to help
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Breeze Airways may add Orlando flights if local support is shown by July 15.
- CBICC and HVAB seek pledges from residents to demonstrate travel interest.
- Airport aims to boost connectivity after losing Florida service in 2022.
Three years after State College’s airport lost weekly flights to Florida, similar flights could finally be resuming with another airline — if there’s enough interest.
According to two local organizations spearheading a group of investors, airline carrier Breeze Airways is “actively considering” adding two weekly flights to Orlando, Florida (via Orlando International Airport), with the possibility of adding other destinations in the near future. If everything goes according to plan, the service could start as soon as this fall.
The next step is simply to gauge interest. Breeze Airways has asked those two local organizations — Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) and local tourism bureau Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) — to demonstrate “clear and strong community support” for the flight service by July 15, according to a joint open letter published Wednesday by the two nonprofits.
To achieve that, the two nonprofits are asking residents, businesses, students and other organizations to fill out an online form that serves as a non-binding pledge to fly on the new service. The form requires a name, email, ZIP code, pledged number of flights and optional comments. As of early Wednesday afternoon, more than 500 responses have so far been received and more than 1,500 flights have so far been pledged.
A decision is expected to be announced in the late summer.
“Your pledge will powerfully demonstrate our collective readiness and enthusiasm for enhanced air service options,” read the joint letter, signed by CBICC President/CEO Greg Scott and HVAB President/CEO Fritz Smith.
According to Scott, who responded to CDT questions in an email, other local investors include Penn State, Benner Township and Bellefonte Borough. As an investor, that simply means they will be contributing financial and marketing support — potentially through an incentive package and/or by potentially waiving rent, landing fees, security fees, etc. for a fixed period of time.
“As the proposal is still in negotiation with the airline, we cannot share the full (financial) amount at this time,” Scott added.
The move to potentially add another flight to the State College Regional Airport does not come as a surprise. In October, the CBICC released a 5- to 10-year collaborative economic plan that outlined priorities for the region — and adding flights was among them, in part to help attract and retain high-growth companies. The report also stated that nearly every interviewed stakeholder “expressed concerns about the lack of flight options.”
The community has tried to incentivize airlines to add flights before. In 2021, the Centre County government and municipalities across the county worked together to pledge nearly $300,000 if American Airlines were to add at least 12 weekly flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Two years later, the plan failed after American Airlines described the challenges of pilot shortages and inconsistent demand outside of peak service periods.
Officials acknowledged they’ve learned some lessons since then.
“Over the past several years, we have learned that opportunities to bring new airlines here are fast-moving and require a concerted, aligned effort when they arise,” Scott said Wednesday afternoon. “As a community, we need to be prepared to respond quickly, have the leadership and resources in place, and have a strong partnership between the community and the Airport Authority to give us the best opportunity at a shot at success to bring these airlines here.”
State College’s airport currently offers three daily flights to Washington, D.C.; four daily flights to Chicago; and four daily flights to Philadelphia. United Airlines and American Airlines both use the airport.
In October 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Allegiant Air began offering twice-weekly flights to Orlando, Florida, and the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Those flights discontinued in 2022, with a spokesperson citing labor constraints and lack of demand.
Breeze Airways, which is now considering adding flights to Orlando, is classified as a low-cost airline. It was established in 2018, officially launched under its current name in 2021, and has grown to serve about 70 cities.
It’s known for providing nonstop flights between underserved cities that often lack direct service from other carriers. Breeze Airways was founded by David Neelman, who also founded JetBlue Airways.
