WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The parent company of new low cost U.S. air carrier Breeze Airways said Wednesday it had closed a $200 million Series B funding round led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Breeze Aviation Group Inc previously raised more than $100 million and began flights in late May. Breeze is now serving 16 U.S. cities and 39 routes. The company said it will use the funding to expand operations. Breeze Chief Executive David Neeleman said Wednesday the carrier has had more than 100,000 passengers since launching operations. Breeze is focusing on flights between smaller U.S. cities that have little or no direct service from larger carriers. Breeze is serving cities like Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; New Orleans, Norfolk, Virginia, Louisville, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hartford, Connecticut and Akron, Ohio. (Reporting by David Shepardson) Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.