SBD International Airport (SBD) marked a major milestone in its 80-year history yesterday as Breeze Airways announced daily nonstop service between SBD and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Beginning August 4, the $49 (one-way) flights will depart daily from SBD at 8:00 am, arriving in SFO at 9:30 am. The return flight from SFO will leave at 10:10 am and arrive in San Bernardino at 11:40am.
“Breeze Airways’ announcement of daily nonstop service to SFO is a monumental moment for our inland Southern California region and our communities that have supported the base reuse effort for many years, invigorating the resurgence of true travel options for our residents, businesses, and friends and families,” said Frank J. Navarro, SBD’s Commission President and Mayor of the nearby City of Colton.
Offering scheduled commercial air service to the Inland Empire region has long been a goal for SBD. The airport has maintained a passenger terminal building since 2010, serving passengers traveling on charter flights since that time.
According to Michael Burrows, Chief Executive Officer of SBD and the Inland Valley Development Agency, “This new partnership with Breeze Airways is the culmination of decades of federal, state, regional, and local focus on revitalizing what was the amazing Norton Air Force Base and is now the thriving SBD International Airport. We are here to support our communities, our businesses, partners, and new friends for many years to come. Our region’s confidence brought us to this day, and we honor and appreciate them now by offering this incredible travel option right here at SBD.”
Breeze was created by JetBlue founder David Neeleman and connects travelers in communities underserved by air service to the U.S. cities they want to visit most. The new SBD-SFO nonstop flights will be flown in Embraer E195 aircraft that seats 118 passengers, 22 of those offer extra legroom. The E195’s two-by-two seating configuration also means there are no middle seats onboard.
The new commercial air service will have a significant impact on the economy, equating to more jobs for the region.
“The daily service will have incredibly positive economic impacts for the Inland Empire, infusing up to $57 million annually into our region through exciting new aviation careers such as ticketing and gate agents, ground handlers, TSA employees, flight attendants and pilots, aircraft mechanics, and concessionaires,” said John Valdivia, Mayor of San Bernardino.
Visit www.flybreezeairways.com and the Breeze app for bookings and information.