JAX Aims for Nonstop Europe Flights as New Concourse Rises

Jacksonville courts European carriers, offers incentives to launch transatlantic routes from expanded airport.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:08pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the towering, streamlined forms of an airport terminal or skyline, rendered in bold gradients of blue, gray, and white to capture the grand scale and romance of international air travel.As Jacksonville works to secure nonstop flights to Europe, the city's airport expansion and incentive packages aim to entice airlines to take a chance on new transatlantic routes.Indianapolis Today

Jacksonville, Florida is making a concerted push to attract nonstop flights to Europe as the city's airport, JAX, undergoes a major expansion with a new six-gate Concourse B. Local officials and aviation consultants have identified five target European cities - Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Reykjavik - and are prepared to offer financial incentives and marketing support to airlines in order to secure the new international routes. The timing coincides with record passenger traffic at JAX and the return of seasonal service to Toronto by Air Canada, signaling the airport's growing global connectivity.

Why it matters

Securing nonstop flights to Europe would be a major coup for Jacksonville, boosting the city's profile and economic ties across the Atlantic. However, the competition for these routes is fierce, and JAX will likely need to put significant financial incentives on the table to convince airlines to take the risk on launching new transatlantic service from the mid-sized Florida airport.

The details

A study by consultant firm Campbell-Hill Aviation Group has identified Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Reykjavik as the top target cities for nonstop flights from JAX. Securing these routes will require a mix of financial incentives and in-person outreach to airline decision makers, according to the firm's advisor Kevin Schorr. While airports are restricted from directly subsidizing specific routes with cash, they can offer non-cash incentives like marketing support, waived landing fees, and free counter space. Successful launches of new international service typically combine airport help with backing from state, regional, or private partners.

  • JAX posted a record 7.6 million passengers in 2024.
  • A $344 million Concourse B project is currently under construction at JAX.
  • Air Canada will resume seasonal nonstop service between JAX and Toronto in late May 2026.

The players

Jacksonville Aviation Authority

The government agency that operates Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).

Campbell-Hill Aviation Group

A consulting firm that advised the Jacksonville Aviation Authority on identifying target European cities for nonstop flights.

Kevin Schorr

An advisor at Campbell-Hill Aviation Group who provided insights on the incentives required to secure new transatlantic routes.

Donna Deegan

The mayor of Jacksonville, who has signaled support for using incentives to help launch new international flights from JAX.

Air Canada

The Canadian airline that will resume seasonal nonstop service between JAX and Toronto in late May 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Securing a transatlantic route will almost certainly mean a mix of financial incentives and plenty of in-person 'face time' with airline decision makers.”

— Kevin Schorr, Advisor, Campbell-Hill Aviation Group

What’s next

JAA staff say they are already in conversations with potential airline partners, but any actual deal will have to clear senior staff and the board, and it will need a carefully structured financial package before a route ever takes off.

The takeaway

Jacksonville's push for nonstop flights to Europe represents a major opportunity for the city to boost its global connectivity and economic ties, but it will require a significant investment of time and resources to convince airlines to take a chance on a new transatlantic route from the mid-sized Florida airport.