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OGDEN — Breeze Airways announced plans Wednesday to add new service out of Ogden-Hinckley Airport beginning next year, giving northern Utah residents another option after losing commercial service last year.
The Utah-based low-cost carrier says it will provide Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday flights to and from Ogden and Orange County, California, beginning Feb. 21, 2024. Breeze President Tom Doxey said he believes the move adds to Ogden's "rich travel history," which dates back to its place as a transfer point along the initial transcontinental railroad in the 1800s.
"Today, Breeze is writing a new chapter for Ogden — one in which its residents get access to simple, affordable and convenient air travel to highly desirable destinations like Orange County," he said in a statement.
Ogden has been without commercial service since Allegiant Air and Avelo Airlines pulled out of Ogden-Hinckley Airport last year.
Allegiant previously offered flights to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Mesa, Arizona, at points, over nearly a decade of operating out of the airport. Avelo offered flights from Ogden to Burbank, California, for about a year before leaving over rising operation costs.
Breeze Airways, based in Cottonwood Heights, now fills in that gap.
"I am really, really personally excited about this," said Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, during an event Wednesday morning.
The airline, which began flying operations in 2021, launched its first Utah service in 2022 out of Provo Airport. It now offers nonstop service to and from Provo and a handful of cities across the country.
It's not the only change fliers out of the Ogden-Hinckley Airport may notice. The interior of its small terminal recently underwent a remodel to make way for the airline change, said Brandon Cooper, the city's director for community and economic development. Crews repainted it, laid down new carpets and replaced the windows as part of that remodel.
"(It's) just freshening it up and making it feel contemporary, modern (and) accessible," he said.
He adds that he hopes the new service will help create more jobs in Ogden and also bring out-of-state visitors into the region.
Ogden marks Breeze's second Utah city and 45th U.S. city to which it provides service. Airline officials said they believe Ogden fits their target market, as they aim to provide "convenient, affordable and flexible travel."
Fares will start at $39 for purchases made between Wednesday and Dec. 5. The deal applies to all flights before Sept. 3, 2024, excluding a stretch from late March through early April.
Breeze also announced earlier this month it will expand into seven other U.S. cities in the coming months: Burlington, Vermont; Evansville, Indiana; Grand Junction, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Stewart/Newburgh, New York; and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Contributing: Katija Stjepovic
