Breeze Airways expanding Vero Beach service with flights to Providence

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the current number of Breeze Airways flights in and out of Florida.

VERO BEACH — Breeze Airways is expanding flights in and out of Vero Beach Regional Airport, adding service to Providence, Rhode Island.

Beginning Nov. 2, service between Vero Beach and Providence will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Providence joins Hartford, Connecticut, and White Plains, New York, as destinations from Vero Beach.

Breeze operates a base in Providence, a factor in its choice as a destination, according to Breeze.

“We are trying to target people from the Northeast looking to escape the winter,” said Breeze Airways spokesperson Ryne Williams.

Providence, with approximately 1.6 million people, is the second-largest metropolitan area in New England behind Boston, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What impact will the new route have?

The Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce anticipates the new flights from New England will mean an increase in tourism.

“This is great for the city and offers more opportunities for people to come down, especially those looking to avoid Logan International Airport in Boston,” said Bob McCabe, chair of the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce.

How will the airport handle the new traffic?

The airport is anticipating no issues with the increased traffic.

“We will see increased traffic, but we are set up and ready to handle it,” said Airport Director Todd Scher.

Who is Breeze Airways?

Breeze began operations in Vero Beach on Feb. 2, filling the vacancy left by Elite Airways, who in June 2022, abruptly halted all traffic in and out of Vero.

Coming to VRB: Breeze Airways confirms it will begin Vero Beach service Feb. 2; three destinations named

Opinion: Breeze Airways, Vero Beach airport must address these issues after delay exposes problems

Breeze was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, near Salt Lake City. Its inaugural flight was from Tampa to Charleston, South Carolina.

From February through June, Breeze has flown 29,854 passengers in and out of Vero Beach on 151 flights, according to data provided by the airport.

Breeze currently operates 58 nonstop routes in and out of Florida.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Breeze Airways adding Providence as new Vero Beach destination