Breeze Airways Moves Into Spirit’s Void With New Atlantic City Routes — Including Fort Myers

Breeze Airways Fills the Gap Left by Spirit Airlines’ Collapse

Spirit Airlines’ collapse has shaken the budget travel market across the United States. Travelers are scrambling to find new options for affordable flights. Other carriers are now moving quickly to fill the void. Breeze Airways is one of the first to make a significant move.

Breeze Airways has announced four new nonstop routes from Atlantic City International Airport. The expansion more than doubles the carrier’s nonstop destinations from that New Jersey hub. One key new route connects the airport to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Breeze will also serve Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Myrtle Beach.

The Salt Lake City-based carrier made the announcement as airlines across the country respond to Spirit’s exit. Spirit had averaged roughly five departures and arrivals per day at Atlantic City. It served multiple Florida cities and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Its sudden closure left a noticeable gap in service for budget travelers.

New Routes and Launch Dates

Breeze will launch its nonstop Fort Myers service on October 22. Flights to RSW will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The Myrtle Beach route also starts on October 22, running Thursdays and Sundays. Travelers heading to Orlando can book daily nonstop service starting July 3.

West Palm Beach will gain nonstop Breeze service starting December 17. Those flights will also run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. All four routes represent entirely new Atlantic City offerings from Breeze. The airline had not previously served these markets from that airport.

Breeze first arrived at Southwest Florida International Airport in June 2022. The carrier launched its very first flight on May 27, 2021, flying from Tampa to Charleston. Since then, it has grown steadily across the country. It now serves more than 60 cities in 30 states.

Breeze’s Focus on Underserved Routes

Breeze Airways builds its entire business model around underserved city pairs. The airline targets leisure and vacation travelers who want nonstop options. It focuses on smaller cities that larger carriers often overlook. Its goal is to make nonstop travel more efficient and accessible.

The collapse of Spirit Airlines gives Breeze a significant opportunity. Spirit previously dominated many budget routes between smaller markets. Without Spirit, travelers on those routes face fewer low-cost options. Breeze is well-positioned to attract those price-conscious fliers.

The Salt Lake City-based carrier does not compete directly with legacy airlines. Instead, it carves out a niche in the leisure travel segment. Its expansion into Atlantic City routes reflects this targeted strategy. Each new route addresses a specific gap that Spirit’s exit created.

Spirit Airlines’ Collapse Sends Shockwaves Through Budget Travel

Spirit Airlines entered its second bankruptcy in under a year after a failed merger with JetBlue Airways. It hasn’t turned a full-year profit since the pandemic. Rising labor costs, engine issues, and shifting traveler demand all hurt the carrier. High oil prices driven by the war with Iran added further financial pressure.

A Government Bailout Request Sparks Debate

Spirit asked the Trump administration for a $500 million financial lifeline. In exchange, the government would receive up to a 90% stake in the airline. Shark Tank panelist Kevin O’Leary called the proposal a “really bad idea” on NewsNation. It remains unclear whether the administration will act or allow the airline to fail.

The war with Iran has caused soaring fuel prices across the aviation industry. Those rising costs hit budget carriers like Spirit especially hard. Legacy airlines have more financial cushion to absorb fuel price spikes. Ultra-low-cost carriers operate on razor-thin margins that leave little room for error.

Spirit’s situation represents a cautionary tale for the budget airline model. The carrier squeezed costs aggressively but couldn’t outrun its structural challenges. Its collapse has left hundreds of thousands of travelers searching for alternatives. Airlines like Breeze are now stepping in to serve those displaced passengers.

What Spirit’s Exit Means for Airfares

Data shows that airfares rise sharply when Spirit exits a market. A Business Insider analysis used fare data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. It examined roughly 90 routes that Spirit left between 2024 and 2025. Fares rose an average of about $19, or 14%, on those routes.

By comparison, fares rose only 6% to 7% on routes where Spirit continued to operate. That translates to roughly $8 to $10 per ticket. Prices increased on about 80% of the routes Spirit exited. Some routes saw fares jump by more than $100.

Airline industry consultant Mike Arnot explained the dynamic clearly. “When any airline leaves a market, it results in a drop in the supply of seats,” Arnot told Business Insider. “That generally means that airfare will increase.” He added that it does not much matter which airline departs a market.

The Reverse ‘Spirit Effect’ Hits Travelers Hard

Aviation experts describe this pricing trend as the reverse “Spirit effect.” Budget carriers like Spirit historically pushed all airlines to lower fares when entering a market. Their exit produces the opposite result. Fewer competitors mean higher prices for everyday travelers.

The data reflects overall market pricing between city pairs. It includes all carriers and connecting traffic. The analysis excludes extras like bag fees and seat selection. Even without those additions, the base fare increases are significant.

The airline increasingly faces uncertainty about its long-term survival without a buyer or bailout. Every day without a resolution adds pressure to employees, creditors, and travelers alike. Carriers like Breeze are acting fast to capture newly available demand. The coming months will reshape the budget travel landscape dramatically.

Travelers who relied on Spirit for affordable Florida and Southeast routes now face hard choices. Breeze offers some relief with its new Atlantic City nonstop service. However, Breeze’s focus on efficiency means it won’t cover every market Spirit once served. Budget-conscious fliers may simply pay more until the market stabilizes.