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Research led by Yi Gai, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Aeronautics, recently moved from published scholarship into direct industry discussion during a visit to Breeze Airways headquarters in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

On March 10, Gao joined , assistant professor in the Department of Geography at , to present findings from their collaborative study examining Breeze Airways’ market impact.

The visit included discussions with ’ leadership, including Eric Walters, director of pricing, revenue management, distribution and sales, and Lukas Johnson, chief commercial officer.

The research, published in the , examines how Breeze Airways has influenced passenger demand and airfares across U.S. airports. The study finds that Breeze’s presence is associated with stronger passenger demand and lower fares at the airports it serves, while some of the demand benefits also extend to neighboring airports in the broader region. The authors describe these combined outcomes as the “Breeze effects,” highlighting Breeze’s growing role in improving air service access and affordability in underserved markets.

Using airport-level data from 380 commercial service airports in the contiguous United States from 2021 through early 2025, the study shows that Breeze has followed a distinctive growth strategy by focusing on underserved and secondary markets rather than competing head-to-head at major congested hubs. This approach offers important lessons for airport managers, policymakers, and airline industry leaders who are working to expand connectivity and stimulate regional air service development.

The visit provided an important opportunity to exchange ideas between academic researchers and airline practitioners. By presenting the study directly to Breeze executives, the conversation connected scholarly research with real-world airline strategy and decision-making. It also highlighted how university research can contribute to industry understanding of pricing, market development, and the broader economic role of emerging low-cost carriers.

For Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering, the visit reflects the college’s continued commitment to industry-engaged research that addresses timely challenges in aviation. It also demonstrates the value of collaborative partnerships that bring together academia and industry to better understand the changing landscape of air transportation. As airlines, airports, and communities continue to seek innovative ways to improve connectivity, studies such as this help inform smarter and more resilient aviation strategies.