Breeze Airways seeks new essential air service contracts from three U.S. airports

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Breeze Airways seeks new essential air service contracts from three U.S. airports

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Breeze Airways | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Apr 26, 2025

Breeze Airways has expanded its pursuit of Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts, following its first contract achievement in September 2024. The airline has submitted bids for three additional contracts to offer subsidized routes connecting regional communities to Raleigh–Durham International Airport in North Carolina, with each proposed route spanning less than 500 kilometers.

On April 23, Breeze Airways submitted proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for routes originating from Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB), Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD), and Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB). The airline plans to use its Airbus A220-300 aircraft for daily services on these routes.

From Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, which serves areas in West Virginia and Ohio, Breeze Airways aims to operate daily flights to Raleigh–Durham. The proposal highlights a request for a three-year contract and flexibility beyond its end date. Breeze expressed its intent to stay in the PKB market but emphasized the need to adapt to changing circumstances.

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The competition for the Mid-Ohio Valley EAS contracts includes Air Wisconsin, Contour Airlines, Denver Air Connection, and SkyWest Airlines. Destinations and aircraft specifications vary among these airlines, with subsidy requests ranging from $5.2 million to $8 million annually.

For Shenandoah Valley Airport, Breeze Airways proposes daily flights to Raleigh–Durham, competing against other carriers like Air Wisconsin, Contour Airlines, and SkyWest Airlines. Breeze requests annual subsidies of $5.4 million, emphasizing its desire to maintain flexibility post-contract.

Lastly, the Greenbrier Valley route proposal seeks a DOT contract to provide daily subsidized services with its A220-300 aircraft. Breeze's proposal requests $5.7 million in subsidies and also seeks a flexible arrangement considering future changes.

These recent bids build on Breeze Airways' ongoing efforts to expand its service network through EAS contracts. The airline had already pursued other contracts, with mixed success in the prior year.