Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Ogden is set to welcome back passenger air service with the upcoming introduction of Breeze Airways. Known for its budget-friendly offerings across various U.S. destinations, Breeze Airways is extending its operations to include four weekly flights connecting Ogden and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, starting in February. This development marks the resurgence of commercial air travel at Ogden-Hinckley Airport after the departures of Allegiant Air and Avelo Airlines last year, serving Mesa, Arizona, and Burbank, California, respectively.
Trent Porter, Chief Financial Officer of Breeze Airways, emphasized the accessibility of Ogden airport, particularly its proximity to Interstate 15. Porter shared these insights during an interview with the Standard-Examiner on Tuesday. The airline’s formal plans were to be unveiled in a press conference on Wednesday.
Simultaneously, the Ogden City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to offer a $250,000 incentive to attract Breeze Airways to the airport. City officials estimate the startup costs for the airline to be between $800,000 and $1 million.
Breeze Airways has identified a demand for its services in Ogden, observing the number of local residents from Ogden and nearby cities, including Brigham City and Logan, utilizing Breeze flights from Provo Municipal Airport. The airline, headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, operates direct flights from Provo to San Francisco, Phoenix, and John Wayne Airport, covering a total of approximately 45 destinations across the United States.
To kick off its Ogden operations, Breeze Airways plans to offer introductory promotional fares of $39 for one-way travel between Ogden and John Wayne Airport. Flight schedules are yet to be finalized.
Porter, a native of Ogden, expressed optimism about the venture and praised the John Wayne Airport as a less hectic alternative to the larger Los Angeles International Airport. Additionally, he highlighted its proximity to Disneyland in nearby Anaheim.
Despite some local skepticism regarding Ogden’s suitability for airline services, Porter remains positive. Ogden-Hinckley Airport Manager Bryant Garrett has consistently asserted that the departures of Allegiant and Avelo were not due to low profits or traffic but rather specific operational challenges faced by each carrier.
Looking ahead, Porter hinted at the potential for expanding Breeze Airways’ routes from Ogden, expressing the company’s interest in further growth. The airline intends to deploy an Airbus A220, with a seating capacity of approximately 137, for its Ogden operations.
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