SALISBURY, Md. - Breeze Airways is launching its first nonstop flight from Salisbury Regional Airport to Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, adding another direct Florida route for Delmarva travelers.
Airport and local leaders say the new route is part of a larger push to grow passenger service at SBY and give travelers more options closer to home. The Fort Lauderdale flight builds on Breeze Airways’ existing service from Salisbury to Orlando, which began less than a year ago.
Tony Rudy, with Salisbury Regional Airport, said South Florida is the airport’s top market.
“When Breeze first started, we were really optimistic that the service would do well, and it is doing fairly well now,” Rudy said. “South Florida, Florida’s our number one market. So, we feel this will go very well and we’ll see how it goes.”
Rudy said Breeze added an extra weekly Orlando flight in April before announcing the new Fort Lauderdale service. He said the new route fits both the airline and the airport, especially because Breeze already serves Fort Lauderdale in other markets.
Local leaders say the flight could make travel easier for people who otherwise drive to larger airports in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington or Norfolk.
Rudy said the convenience can make a major difference for passengers, especially at the end of a trip.
“They’re saving money,” Rudy said. “They don’t have that two plus hour drive each way. Probably the last thing you want to do when you get back from vacation is hop in your car and have to drive a few hours to get home.”
Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano said the county has focused on supporting the airport through projects like the runway extension and the addition of Breeze Airways.
Giordano called the airport an “economic jewel” for the county. She said the Orlando flight has already seen strong support, which helped lead to the new Fort Lauderdale route.
“For us to be able to keep people here and utilize our airport, I mean, it’s huge,” Giordano said.
Giordano said expanded service can help keep travel dollars in Wicomico County while also creating new opportunities for people coming to and from Florida. She said the county is also continuing conversations about possible future service, including a potential route to the Midwest.
Dave Ryan, executive director of Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development, said the new route adds to the momentum around the airport. He pointed to the runway extension, an FAA-certified mechanic school, shovel-ready sites and industrial park growth near the airport.
Ryan said air service is one of the first things businesses consider when looking at a region.
“Where are we going? Where can we come and go? And how easy can we get to a destination point?” Ryan said.
Ryan said the Fort Lauderdale flight could help both travelers heading south and businesses or tourists coming to the Eastern Shore.
Rudy said the key to keeping the route long term is simple: passengers need to use it.
“We just need to put bodies in seats,” Rudy said.
Airport leaders say if the Fort Lauderdale route performs well, it could help make the case for more destinations out of Salisbury in the future.
