Startup Avelo Airlines announces its 1st service to New York state

Avelo Airlines is headed to New York for the first time.

The Houston-headquartered ultra-low-cost startup is launching service between Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) in the state's Southern Tier region and both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) near Fort Myers.

Service operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting Nov. 16, with introductory one-way fares starting at $79.

The new Florida service will significantly bolster options at the Binghamton airport, which right now is served by a single daily Delta Connection flight on a 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet 200 to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

"We're excited to add Binghamton as our first New York destination to Avelo's U.S. network," Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement. "Traveling to The Sunshine State is now more affordable and easier than ever. Southern Tier residents can now choose from two sun-soaked nonstop destinations — Orlando and Florida's majestic Gulf Coast. Say hello to convenient and cost-friendly hometown airport access to The Sunshine State and say goodbye to long and expensive gas-guzzling drives to those other distant New York airports."

Avelo has been expanding steadily, and the new route is made possible by the used Boeing 737 next-generation aircraft the airline has acquired. The airline just took delivery of its 11th aircraft, and by the second quarter of next year expects to have 16 in its fleet.

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More: Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy on the airline's path to profitability: 'We're really close'

Much of Avelo's recent expansion is focused on Florida. The airline opened its third base at Orlando International Airport (MCO) earlier this year and, more recently, has been focused on connecting underserved northern cities to the Sunshine State. Last week, the airline announced new service between two cities in Michigan — Lansing and Kalamazoo — and Orlando and Fort Myers.

Avelo's service will be the first between Binghamton and Florida since at least 2003 — as far back as Cirium schedule data goes. Since then, the airport has been served exclusively by various network carriers, and has only been connected to their hubs. The nearest airport offering nonstop service to Florida — and other leisure destinations — is Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), over an hour's drive north.