TAMPA, FL — Breeze Airways announced new nonstop flights from Tampa International Airport to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Cancun, Mexico, adding two beach getaways at tropical destinations ahead of the holiday travel season.
The airport said in a news release that the St. Thomas route will be the first-ever nonstop service between Tampa and Cyril E. King Airport.
Both routes are scheduled to operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Service to St. Thomas is scheduled to begin on Dec. 16, followed by Cancun on Dec. 19, according to the announcement.
Tickets for both routes are now available on Breeze’s website.
With the new flights, Breeze will offer 37 nonstop destinations from Tampa International Airport, five of them international, according to the airport. The Cancun route will be Breeze’s first destination in Mexico from Tampa International Airport.
"These two new routes mark exciting milestones for Tampa International Airport: Our first-ever flights to St. Thomas and Breeze Airways’ first-ever service to Mexico from TPA,” Michael Stephens, airport CEO, said. “Both destinations are in high demand among Tampa Bay travelers, and the timing couldn’t be better as we look ahead to this year's busy holiday travel season. We can’t wait to celebrate the launch of these routes in December.”
Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman said Tampa will now offer service to all of the airline’s international destinations.
“With these new routes, Tampa will now offer service to all of our international destinations and be the first to experience our new service to the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands,” Neeleman said. “We know our guests will love these destinations and we look forward to launch this winter.”
The airport said U.S. citizens traveling to St. Thomas do not need a passport because the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory. Travelers still must bring a REAL ID government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, for TSA screening, as they would for any domestic flight.
Published flight times listed by the airport show Tampa departures to St. Thomas at 2:39 p.m., arriving at 5:39 p.m., with return flights leaving at 6:39 p.m. and arriving in Tampa at 10:09 p.m.
Cancun flights are listed departing Tampa at 7 a.m. and arriving at 8:55 a.m., with return service leaving at 9:55 a.m. and arriving at 11:40 a.m.
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