It had been nearly two years since Avelo Airlines and Allegiant Airlines both dropped services to Ogden. The airport — long a source of tension between users and city government — was just months away from being the subject of a scathing legislative audit. And while some touch-ups had been done to the terminal building, baggage was still collected outside of the terminal as fliers made their way to the parking lot.

In the two years since, the airport has seen reforms in city code and a large-scale expansion of the terminal building, and Ogden officials are citing Breeze’s arrival as helping spark this resurgence. And while Breeze Airways officials have seen building success at the airport, there’s hope that a change in scheduling to better capitalize on weekend travel will take the bi-weekly service between Santa Ana and Ogden to new heights.

Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman told the Standard-Examiner on Thursday that momentum has built up over time.

“It was a slow start, but those that flew on it are coming back and flying it again,” he said. “There’s a lot of repeat customers on that flight.”

Image supplied, Ogden City

He said there have been a few obstacles to overcome, given that Breeze Airways came to Ogden at a time when it lacked commercial service in a region with two well-established commercial airports.

“Ogden’s a little more challenging than Provo because there was already service out of Provo from Allegiant and, for me, Ogden Airport’s a little closer to Salt Lake and people are just a little more accustomed to going to Salt Lake International,” he said. “Habits are hard to break, and even though they can get to Ogden a little quicker, the airport’s more convenient and all of that, they just have more options out of Salt Lake International.”

Breeze Airways Communications Specialist Ryne Williams said that over 24,000 guests flew on Breeze flights from Ogden in 2025.

Neeleman said a major change is coming to the flights, shifting from the current Monday and Friday schedule to Thursday and Sunday roundtrips to and from John Wayne Airport starting May 4.

“We think moving it to Thursday/Sunday will be good and will continue to improve it,” he said. “If we can do that, then we can start looking at more frequency or some additional destinations.”

Photo supplied, Ogden City

He said there are no immediate plans for new destinations from Ogden at this time.

Ogden City Business Recruitment Manager KC Sanders told the Standard-Examiner on Friday that the presence of Breeze Airways has been great for the airport and the city.

“Breeze has made travel easy again for Ogden,” he said. “For two years now, people have been able to fly out of their hometown airport, park for only $5, grab a $1 water and be in California in just two hours. That’s meant more visits with family and friends, more weekends at the beach, more Disneyland trips and quick escapes to Hollywood or Orange County.”

He said that it also brought something else that was very much needed at Ogden-Hinckley Airport.

“It’s also helped reintroduce Ogden to the idea that commercial service can thrive here when it’s convenient, affordable and stress�’free,” he said. “Breeze didn’t just bring flights — they brought confidence back to our airport and helped spark the improvements we’ve made.”

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner file photo

Sanders said it’s a night-and-day difference between the previous attempt at commercial air travel in Ogden and Breeze’s arrival.

“When Allegiant and Avelo were here, we were operating out of an older terminal that wasn’t built for long�’term commercial service,” he said. “We didn’t have the space, the flow or the amenities travelers expect. Today, Ogden-Hinckley Airport is a completely different experience.”

He noted that the terminal expansion last year has brought several improvements, including an indoor baggage claim, better check-in and security flow, expanded rental car options and a generally better airport aesthetic. Sanders said the airport will also be getting a new restaurant in the coming months.

“We’ve built the foundation that was missing before, and the airport is now designed to support commercial service for the long haul,” he said.

Neeleman said he’s been happy to see the evolution of Ogden’s airport over the last couple of years.

Ryan Aston, Standard-Examiner file photo

“They’ve been really great,” he said. “They’ve been very accommodating. The new terminal is really nice and we really love being there.”

He said they’re ultimately hoping for a long-term presence in Ogden.

“As long as people keep flying us, we’ll be there as long as they want us,” he said.

Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski speaks ahead of the arrival of Breeze Airways' first flight from Santa Ana, California, to Ogden-Hinckley Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.

This undated photo shows a Breeze Airways Airbus A220 aircraft.

This undated photo shows a Breeze Airways Airbus A220 aircraft. Breeze officials were to formally announce plans to launch an Ogden-to-Orange County, California, route on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2023. The Airbus airplane would serve the route.

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