Breeze Airways to add direct flight from MacArthur Airport to Wilmington, N.C.
Breeze Airways will offer new direct flights from Long Island MacArthur Airport to North Carolina beginning in October, Islip Town and airline officials announced Wednesday.
Breeze plans to fly direct from Islip to Wilmington International Airport two days each week — Thursdays and Sundays — beginning Oct. 2, Islip Town wrote in its announcement.
The new route is the eighth direct flight Breeze has offered out of MacArthur Airport since the company began operating there in 2022, according to Breeze founder David Neeleman. The airline also began flying from Islip to Fort Myers, Florida, last October, Newsday reported.
“Breeze Airways continues to grow at MacArthur Airport,” Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in the town’s announcement. “We could not be happier with the carrier’s commitment to our ISP loyal customers and the Long Island community.”
The low-cost carrier began offering tickets from Islip to North Carolina on its website Wednesday. Islip Town’s announcement said “limited introductory fares” would begin as low as $49.
"This expansion enhances travel options from [Islip] and increases competition, which will help keep fares down for travelers," said Islip Councilman John Lorenzo, whose district includes the airport. "It provides more convenient and affordable choices directly from Islip to popular destinations."
Avelo Airlines announced a direct flight between Wilmington and Islip in March. That route, along with another to North Carolina and a third to Florida, marks Avelo's introductory flights at MacArthur.
Breeze’s announcement comes exactly one week after another major airline at MacArthur, JetBlue, abruptly canceled its planned direct flight from Islip to Boston two days before it was to launch. A JetBlue spokesperson said in an email to Newsday that bookings did not meet expectations.
During a news conference Wednesday, MacArthur Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken remarked on the need for Long Islanders to utilize flights out of Islip's airport in order for it to retain and expand service.
"We have figured out that if we don't use service, then we lose service. Long Islanders for many years now have really stood up and started to support their local airport," LaRose-Arken said. "I know they're going to continue to support Breeze as we move forward into the future."
No Breeze representatives attended Wednesday's news conference.
Neeleman said in Islip’s news release that Breeze “realized ISP’s incredible potential with its proximity to NYC and with Long Island Rail Road access” when deciding to expand service in Islip.
The town is currently seeking a developer to upgrade its terminal and connect the airport with the LIRR Ronkonkoma station to its north, Newsday has reported.
Breeze Airways will offer new direct flights from Long Island MacArthur Airport to North Carolina beginning in October, Islip Town and airline officials announced Wednesday.
Breeze plans to fly direct from Islip to Wilmington International Airport two days each week — Thursdays and Sundays — beginning Oct. 2, Islip Town wrote in its announcement.
The new route is the eighth direct flight Breeze has offered out of MacArthur Airport since the company began operating there in 2022, according to Breeze founder David Neeleman. The airline also began flying from Islip to Fort Myers, Florida, last October, Newsday reported.
“Breeze Airways continues to grow at MacArthur Airport,” Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in the town’s announcement. “We could not be happier with the carrier’s commitment to our ISP loyal customers and the Long Island community.”
The low-cost carrier began offering tickets from Islip to North Carolina on its website Wednesday. Islip Town’s announcement said “limited introductory fares” would begin as low as $49.
"This expansion enhances travel options from [Islip] and increases competition, which will help keep fares down for travelers," said Islip Councilman John Lorenzo, whose district includes the airport. "It provides more convenient and affordable choices directly from Islip to popular destinations."
Avelo Airlines announced a direct flight between Wilmington and Islip in March. That route, along with another to North Carolina and a third to Florida, marks Avelo's introductory flights at MacArthur.
Breeze’s announcement comes exactly one week after another major airline at MacArthur, JetBlue, abruptly canceled its planned direct flight from Islip to Boston two days before it was to launch. A JetBlue spokesperson said in an email to Newsday that bookings did not meet expectations.
During a news conference Wednesday, MacArthur Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken remarked on the need for Long Islanders to utilize flights out of Islip's airport in order for it to retain and expand service.
"We have figured out that if we don't use service, then we lose service. Long Islanders for many years now have really stood up and started to support their local airport," LaRose-Arken said. "I know they're going to continue to support Breeze as we move forward into the future."
No Breeze representatives attended Wednesday's news conference.
Neeleman said in Islip’s news release that Breeze “realized ISP’s incredible potential with its proximity to NYC and with Long Island Rail Road access” when deciding to expand service in Islip.
The town is currently seeking a developer to upgrade its terminal and connect the airport with the LIRR Ronkonkoma station to its north, Newsday has reported.
Sam Kmack covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and previously worked as a city watchdog reporter in the Phoenix metro area, as well as an investigative journalist at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: The shortage of game officials on LI On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to young people who are turning to game officiating as a new career path.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: The shortage of game officials on LI On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to young people who are turning to game officiating as a new career path.
