New Breeze Airways Flight Connects Tampa to Nassau

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Passengers on board Breeze Airways’ inaugural nonstop flight from Tampa were greeted with a warm Bahamian welcome at LPIA, signaling the start of a new partnership between the two destinations and expanding travel options between The Bahamas and Florida.

Under clear blue skies, Breeze Airways touched down at Lynden Pindling International Airport for the first time.

The airline’s inaugural flight brought 120 passengers from Tampa to Nassau, marking the first direct jet service between the two cities in more than 20 years.

Officials say the new route is expected to boost stopover visits, strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for tourism growth.

Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis calling the new service an important milestone for the country’s aviation sector.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis – Minister, Energy, Utilities and Aviation

“It shows how the country and the economy is growing by the expansions that we’re seeing happening with the airlift and the need for us to continue to look at redevelopment and expansion for our international airport.”

Also on board that inaugural flight was John Tiliacos, chief operating officer of Tampa International Airport and a proud Bahamian himself.

He said that the new service is more than just another route — it’s a long-awaited connection between two communities with deep ties.

John Tiliacos – COO, Tampa International Airport

“It’s an incredible feeling. Um, you know, I try to get back home once or twice a year, and, uh, there’s no place, uh, like home, as they say. And for me, it’s it’s a huge win. It’s a huge win for, uh, The Bahamas and the Bahamian people, um, and it’s a huge win for the Tampa Bay area.”

The route will operate twice weekly for the month of June before expanding to four flights per week in July.

Tourism Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said that the new service opens an important gateway into one of The Bahamas’ strongest tourism markets.

Glenys Hanna-Martin – Minister of Tourism

“As soon as we were able to announce this flight, the website showed an increase of 45% in interest in this route. So this tells us that we are possibly and hopefully sitting on a mountain of interest coming out of Tampa into New Providence. And we try to say to our people, tourism is about how those who come from another place come and see who we are and what we are, to enjoy the spirit of our people, the beauty of our nation, our incredible culture. This is what tourism is about.”

Nassau Airport Development Company President and Chief Executive Officer Vernice Walkine says the Tampa service has been years in the making and fits into a broader strategy to expand airlift options.

Vernice Walkine – CEO, Nassau Airport Development Company

“We’re very excited about this. This is a really important step, yes, for the airport and, as both ministers have said, growth is really important. The demand is obviously there, and we have to, as an airport, be able to meet the demand.”

Breeze Airways is the second major airline to launch a direct flight to Tampa.

In 2016, Silver Airways began direct flights to the Central Florida city, but those flights ceased after the airline went out of business last year.

Now, officials are hoping this latest route will build on a growing market with strong demand and further strengthen tourism and business connections between The Bahamas and the Tampa Bay region.