Nonstop Orlando flights are back in Brownsville — and off to a strong start
The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport is receiving nearly $1.5 million in federal funding to replace critical airfield signage, improve safety, and enhance airport operations. Courtesy of | Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport

Breeze Airways’ new nonstop service between Brownsville and Orlando is showing encouraging early demand, giving Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport a stronger start on a route that another airline abandoned in 2024.

Approximately 2,800 passengers traveled on the Breeze route during its first three months, according to Faisal Khalifa, interim director of the Brownsville airport.

Faisal Khalifa
Faisal Khalifa

“Approximately 2,800 passengers have flown,” Khalifa said. “This is a weekly flight, so it’s inbound and outbound. It’s really strong numbers. We’re talking load factors at nearly 90% during the peak holiday season. We’ve had capacities at 100% outbound and inbound.”

The passenger total includes travelers flying in both directions. The reported load factors apply to peak travel periods and should not be interpreted as the route’s average performance across every flight.

5,000+ business leaders across the Valley start their day with us.

Join them free!

RGV Business Journal is the only newsroom dedicated exclusively to the business and economic forces driving South Texas and the border economy.

Our subscribers get:

In-depth reporting on real estate, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and trade
Data and economic trend analysis unavailable anywhere else in the region
The Morning Newsletter: daily, before the workday starts

Try it free for 30 days.

Start My Free Trial

$9.95/month after trial. Cancel anytime.


Daily Business Update

Get the latest business news delivered to your inbox every morning for free.

    Try 30 Days Free!

    Get full access to award-winning journalism covering business, real estate, health care, economic trends, and the people shaping the Rio Grande Valley.

    30 Days Free!

    $9.95/month

    Limited time offer

    Subscription renews after your 30 day free trial at $9.95/mo.

    Included Benefits


    • Unlimited access to all articles
    • Daily business news and analysis
    • Subscriber-only content and features
    Get Full Access

    Mexican tech company chooses McAllen as launchpad for U.S. expansion

    August 26, 2026 • 4 min read

    Ticketopolis arrives in Texas after creating more than 11,000 events, issuing 1 million tickets and processing more than $20 million... Read more »

    U.S. slaps 25% tariff on heavy trucks, shaking Mexico’s $15B export industry

    October 19, 2025 • 3 min read

    Analysts warn the tariff could trigger higher transport costs and fresh uncertainty for manufacturers operating along the Texas–Mexico border.... Read more »