STEWART AIRPORT - New York Stewart International Airport will offer flights to two new destinations, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and Tampa, Florida, beginning May 6.

Kevn O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs Stewart, announced the new flights aboard Breeze Airways.

Breeze will fly twice a week year-round, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. The flights will then continue to Tampa International Airport in Florida.

"This new Breeze service is a meaningful expansion for New York Stewart, adding a strong nonstop link to a growing hub while building on the airport’s core strengths," O’Toole said in a statement. "New York Stewart offers travelers an efficient, low-stress air travel experience with convenient access and a seamless trip from curb to gate."

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton added the new flights open the door to dozens of further destinations beyond Raleigh-Durham and Tampa, and reinforces Port Authority’s commitment to making Stewart "a competitive, convenient alternative for travelers across the region."

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O’Toole and Cotton said the Raleigh-Durham region is one of the fastest-growing in the country, and shares strong business ties with the Hudson Valley and the greater New York region, particularly in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial and technology sectors.

The new service builds on Breeze’s growing presence at Stewart. The airline already operates year-round service from Stewart to Charleston, S.C. and Orlando, Fla., as well as seasonal service to other destinations.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Breeze Airways to expand flights at Stewart Airport to Fla., NC