Two budget air carriers are adding new routes to the Tampa Bay area this year, giving travelers more low-cost options out of two regional airports.

Breeze Airways announced three new nonstop routes from Tampa International Airport (TPA) beginning this summer. Starting July 1, the airline will offer service to Fort Lauderdale 13 times weekly, as well as flights to Atlantic City, N.J. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Nonstop service to Columbus, Ohio will begin July 3, operating on Mondays and Fridays.

Meanwhile, Allegiant Air recently launched three new nonstop routes out of St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Service to Atlantic City began February 13, flights to Trenton, N.J. started February 20, and a new route to Huntsville, Alabama is set to begin March 5.

Travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group noted that budget airlines often favor smaller airports because they are less congested and cheaper to operate from, while major carriers typically prefer larger hubs to attract higher passenger volumes.

Harteveldt cautioned that low base fares on budget carriers often come with trade-offs — less legroom, seats that don’t recline, and additional fees for carry-on bags, checked luggage, seat assignments, and food and beverages. He also noted a growing trend of higher-income travelers choosing budget airlines, citing a perceived decline in the value offered by traditional carriers.

Travel experts recommend comparing fares across multiple airlines before booking to ensure the lowest overall cost when fees are factored in.

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