TPA gets new route to Illinois city

Calling it an underserved route, Springfield, Illinois, will be added as a nonstop route from Tampa International Airport, by Breeze Airways, a self-described low-cost carrier. 

Breeze says Springfield will be its 17th nonstop destination from TPA.

Breeze says it will offer twice-weekly service to Springfield starting Dec. 4, with an introductory fare of $49 one-way. The new route will be served on Mondays and Fridays. The introductory fare is available for purchase through Sept. 25 for travel by April 30, 2024.

Breeze began serving TPA in May 2021 and provides both nonstop year-round to Akron-Canton, Ohio; Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas; Charleston, South Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; Huntsville, Alabama; Louisville, Kentucky; Norfolk, Virginia; Portland, Maine; Providence, Rhode Island; Richmond, Virginia; and Syracuse, New York.

Breeze says it also offers seasonal service to Charleston, West Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, as well as one-stop, no-plane-change "BreezeThru" service to Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Springfield flight will use the Airbus 220-300 aircraft, which Breeze says is quieter than most other models. 

"Tampa is one of our biggest bases, and this is yet another underserved route that we are adding for our guests in the Tampa Bay area," says Tom Doxey, president of Breeze Airways. "We have continued to expand in Tampa, giving our guests more destinations with added convenience, affordability, and flexibility."

Breeze says it doesn't charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits, such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. Breeze Airways began service in May 2021 and offers more than 150 year-round and seasonal nonstop routes between 37 cities in 22 states.