The Challenge
Ohio’s air service had been declining for 20 years before the global pandemic battered the entire industry. Regional business leaders and stakeholders made their concerns clear about the importance of access: Airports contribute over $17 billion each year to Ohio’s economy. Connecting Ohioans to destinations nationwide is vital for business connectivity. economic growth, and the tourism and hospitality industries across the state. The JobsOhio Air Service Restoration program was created in 2020 to increase the number of destinations served at the state’s seven commercial airports. These additional routes would encourage future economic development by improving efficiencies for travelers heading in and out of Ohio. The Air Service Restoration program has been a success, proving beneficial for customers, beneficial for communities, and beneficial for companies, too: companies including Breeze Airways.
The Solution
JobsOhio entered into an agreement in 2021 with Breeze Airways to provide new service at Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and, in the years that followed, Breeze became the airport’s top airline by passenger volume.
The JobsOhio Air Service Restoration program was critical to Breeze’s 2021 announcement and again in 2025 when the company selected CAK as a new base of operations. Breeze’s 11th base brought more than 60 pilot, flight attendant, and maintenance jobs to the area, while allowing the airline to station planes at the airport overnight, thereby creating opportunities for future growth out of CAK.
That growth came only a few months later, as Breeze announced service to six new destinations out of CAK (including five nonstop routes) to destinations in Florida and North Carolina.
Key factors in choosing Ohio included:
Access to one of the strongest, most committed workforces in the nation
Ohio’s business-friendly environment
A Midwest location that offers easier access to and from many other destinations
High demand at Akron-Canton Airport that indicated a natural fit for establishing a new base of operations
The Results
Jobs Created: 61
Total Payroll: $11 million
Total Investment: $3 million
Economic Impact: Breeze’s investment in northeast Ohio generates new jobs, drives economic growth, boosts tourism, and benefits both residents and the community as a whole. Additional flights and optimized schedules are a significant benefit to those who live and work in the Akron-Canton area. Breeze’s commitment doesn’t just have a financial impact—crew members who move to the area become members of the community and invested in the region’s future.
Strategic Advantage: Breeze has been one of the fastest-growing airlines in the industry, and the decision to provide service out of CAK—followed by establishing a crew base there—marks a strong example of that growth and positions Breeze for future expansion to capture more passengers across the country.
Breeze Airways’ decision to add five nonstop destinations and establish a crew base here directly results from travelers choosing Akron-Canton Airport. Our passengers’ continued support is driving this exciting growth. Breeze Airways’ investment reflects growing confidence in our region and strengthens our role as a key aviation and economic asset for the community.
-Ren Camacho, President and CEO, Akron-Canton Airport