RI Officials Tout $1.4 B Economic Impact of Breeze Airways Naming RI International Airport New Base
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
State officials, along with Breeze Airways executives, announced on Tuesday that Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) will become a base of operations for Breeze Airways starting in 2023.
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According to Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the economic impact is over a billion dollars to the state over ten years —nearly $1.4 billion.
“Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is thrilled to become a base of operations for Breeze Airways,” said Ahmad. “The benefits of this wonderful news goes well beyond the airport, and will help create new jobs and new revenues throughout Rhode Island to help grow our local economy for years to come.”
Airport officials have worked for upwards of four years to bring Breeze to RI.
About New Base
Breeze Airways has committed to opening a base at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport beginning in 2023. Over a 5-year ramp-up period, Breeze Airways will base 6-8 aircraft at PVD, most of which will be the Airbus A-220, a brand new aircraft with industry-leading fuel efficiency.
Breeze says it will also grow its network at PVD from the current eight existing or announced routes to 20 or more routes over the 5-year ramp-up phase that begins with the opening of the base. Breeze will offer approximately 20 average weekly departures by the end of 2023, reaching 44 weekly departures by 2027.
A “base” is an airport where an airline’s aircraft operate from that location. Airlines conduct regular maintenance checks and repairs at their bases. Bases are also locations where flight crews reside, which increases the potential for additional flight options for consumers and adds more flight options and the benefit of enhanced reliability given the availability of reserve crews and backup aircraft.
Officials on Record
United States Senator Jack Reed, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, and state officials were on hand at the airport for the announcement.
“It’s nice when airlines announce plans to add routes to Rhode Island and it’s even better when they announce plans like this to make the Ocean State a base of operations. It shows the federal investments we’ve made to upgrade the airport are paying real dividends for the state,” said Reed. “As Breeze continues expanding their network, I’m pleased they’ve chosen Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport as a key base. Demand from air travelers is returning and the airport’s capacity for growth is positioned for takeoff.”
“Today’s announcement continues our state’s economic momentum,” said McKee. “Establishing a base of operations at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport not only creates more good-paying jobs, but also supports our tourism efforts by bringing in new tourists and visitors to our great state which in turn supports our economy. I want to thank Breeze for choosing Rhode Island. We stand ready to ensure this is a success.”
“Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport becoming a base of operations for Breeze Airways will not only create hundreds of permanent jobs, but will also help increase city revenues and attract more travelers to our region,” said Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi. “I am thrilled about this new commitment and look forward to seeing Breeze’s growth in the years to come.”
“On behalf of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board of Directors, I thank Breeze Airways and Rhode Island’s leadership who have worked so hard to help make this development possible,” said RIAC Board Chair Jonathan Savage “RIAC has long recognized the important role served by our airports as a vital economic driver for the state, creating an economic impact of over $2.6 billion a year and supporting over 19,000 jobs. The new routes and jobs generated by this agreement will only help the Rhode Island economy grow further.”
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