LONDON – New U.S. start-up carrier from JetBlue founder David Neeleman Breeze Airways began its commercial operations today with its fleet of 13 leased Embraer jets which it will take delivery off as the airline continues to expand its route network over the summer. The first flights were operated between Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL and Hartford, CT, with additional destinations to be added each week all the way through until July 2021.
The airline has completed its first flights just six days after it announced it planned route and fleet network expansion plans. Read more: Breeze Airlines announces planned route network
David Neeleman, CEO and Founder of Breeze Airways, said: “Embraer’s E-Jets are phenomenal at building out new airlines, and growing and supporting new routes. They are the masters at doing this, as proven by my previous airline ventures – and, no middle seats! The flexibility the family of aircraft provides, allows us to meet fluctuating demand profitably – exactly what all airlines need right now. Having the E-Jets as a core part of our team gives me enormous confidence.”
The experience that David Neeleman has as the founder of both JetBlue and Azul Airlines growing airlines and routes using Embraer E-Jets is unrivalled when compared to others, the airline has built its model on a flying system of flexibility and low fares, the same model that airlines around the globe are trying to compete with due to COVID-19 restrictions constantly changing.
Mark Neely, Vice President Sales, Americas, said: “It’s great to be part of another Neeleman airline project. Launching Breeze with an Embraer fleet is an endorsement of the value these aircraft bring, allowing Breeze to establish new point-to-point routes in underserved markets, bringing much-needed connectivity, protecting yields, managing demand, and doing so profitably.”
Breezes E190 jets will be configured into being able to take 108 passengers per flight, with its E195s currently being configured for 118 seats, the carrier also signed a long-term agreement with Embraer to support a wide range of repairable components for its E190 and E195 fleet. The agreement will include full repair coverage for components and parts as well as give it access to a large stock of components at Embraer’s distributions centre, something that will enable early support for the carrier as it begins to grow.
