BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Travelers in the Tri-Cities area were offered a sunny escape from winter’s grip as they boarded Breeze Airways’ first flight from the Tri-Cities Airport to Orlando.

The inaugural journey, which touched down at 6:35 p.m., saw passengers depart for the warmer climes of Orlando at 8:35 p.m.

This new route marks a significant milestone in a collaboration that has been in the works for seven years, ever since Gene Cossey took the helm as CEO of Tri-Cities Airport.

Cossey has been committed to expanding the airport’s flight options, aiming to encourage local residents to choose their regional airport over others further afield.

“Our region is underserved,” Cossey noted. “The demand here far exceeds the number of flights available. We’re always in discussions with airlines about increasing flight options and destinations, which is crucial for both local travelers and tourists. It’s about meeting the needs of our community and those wishing to visit.”

The Tri-Cities Airport enlisted the help of BRIDGE, an economic development agency, to raise $2 million for the minimum revenue guarantee required by the federal government.

“That took municipalities,” BRIDGE Executive Director John Rose said. “The owners of the airports, Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol, Virginia, Sullivan County, Washington County, Tennessee, Kingsport, Johnson City all participated, along with more than a dozen private companies.”

Boosting tourism

Cossey said the Tri-Cities Airport is working to market tourism in Northeast Tennessee at Orlando Airport.

He added he hopes the new non-stop flights add incentive for tourism.

“We work with the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association to try to help them understand what’s happening at the airport and where the best places that people want to come in here, that we see numbers of people coming here, and they go do the marketing,” he said. “Everybody here wants to go to the beach. Everybody at the beach wants to come to the mountains, so it’s perfect for that synergy where people here who want to go to the beach can go, and people who want to come to the mountains have a beautiful place to come in.”

Rose said another incentive was boosting business in the region.

“It’s not just tourism,” he said. “This also supports businesses, and it lets us recruit talent to our region. It helps us retain talent in our region, and it makes us more attractive for businesses to locate here because we have direct flights to two international outlets, Dallas and Orlando.”

The flight experience

The debut flight was celebrated through a ribbon cutting, cake, and refreshments.

Passengers arriving on the Breeze Airways flight from Orlando were surprised by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association with regional snacks.

The Mazzaro family from Tampa was among the passengers on the flight. They came to Northeast Tennessee to go skiing at Sugar Mountain.

This was their second time flying the airway, and they said it was a breeze.

“We were looking at places to go, but saw it was a ten hours drive,” said Emily Mazarro. “We came across this flight and booked it. It was beautiful. It’s the second time we’ve flown Breeze Airways, and we loved it. Highly recommend.”

Sherry and Vernon Johnson are flying to Orlando for their grandson’s graduation. They say the new addition is convenient for them.

“It’s wonderful,” said Sherry Johnson. “Everybody’s been so friendly and nice. It was very easy coming in and getting out.”

The next Breeze Airways flight will be Dec. 15 to Washington, D.C.