Cottonwood Heights-based Breeze Airways announces expansion

Less than a year after it started flying, new Breeze Airways is announcing an aggressive expansion plan that will include flights on the West Coast. Photo: Breeze Airways

SALT LAKE CITY — Airline startup Breeze Airways said Tuesday it plans to add 35 routes from 10 additional cities, including some West Coast destinations this summer.

The company, which is based in Cottonwood Heights, began operating last May. It was founded by David Neeleman, who created JetBlue Airways.

Despite calling Utah home, Breeze does not operate any flights out of Salt Lake City International Airport.

“Breeze and fellow startup Avelo believe they can find a niche on routes that have been overlooked or abandoned by bigger airlines — usually a smaller city on one or both ends. Their ability to thrive — or even survive — is complicated, however, by the recent surge in jet fuel prices following the rise in oil prices.” — AP

Breeze has predominantly been flying in the East since it started last year. Its aggressive expansion comes as jet fuel prices rise to an 8-year high.

“Fares have got to go up to cover the extra fuel costs, and whenever fares go up, demand suffers a little bit,” Breeze founder David Neeleman told the Associated Press.