Avelo Airlines unveils first 4 routes from new East Coast base
It's official: Avelo Airlines is headed east.
The startup budget carrier revealed the first four routes for its new East Coast base, saying flights from New Haven (HVN), Connecticut, would begin in November.
Avelo initially will offer four routes – all to Florida – as it expands to the East for the first time. The airline will operate a "one-time ceremonial" to Orlando on Nov. 3 before officially commencing a schedule of five weekly flights on the route a day later.
By Nov. 11, Avelo will phase in service to three other cites: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa. Avelo says its new service — all on Boeing 737-700 aircraft — will give New Haven its first-ever regularly scheduled service to Florida.
More broadly, the new destinations are a shot in the arm for the Tweed-New Haven Airport. HVN has struggled to grow commercial airline during the past decade. American is currently the only scheduled passenger carrier at the airport, where its American Eagle regional affiliates fly a single route to AA's hub in Philadelphia.
Now, Avelo says its new Florida routes from New Haven will mark "the first time in 30 years that the airport will simultaneously serve more than two destinations."
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"Today's announcement from Avelo Airlines is another clear step towards transforming Tweed-New Haven into a more vibrant and sustainable airport, one that can help grow jobs and serve as an economic driver for our region," Sean Scanlon, executive director of Tweed-New Haven Airport, said in a statement. "For years the people of southern Connecticut have been asking for more options when it comes to flights and – starting this November – that will be a reality."
Avelo began service in April, besting fellow startup Breeze by about a month to become the first new mainline carrier in nearly 15 years. Avelo launched with a base in Burbank, California – starting with routes to 11 destinations in the West.
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The airline has made slight adjustments to its Burbank schedule since starting, dropping several cities but expanding in others. Now, its plans to begin service in New Haven will bring Avelo to both coasts. Avelo first announced its intention to make New Haven a base back in May just a week after its first flights, but it did not reveal any details about where it might fly.
Now, we know the first four routes – and presumably there'll be more to come as Avelo builds up its presence at its first East Coast base.
Scroll down for the launch details of Avelo's first routes from New Haven.
Avelo Airlines' new flights from New Haven (HVN)
Orlando (MCO)
- Begins Nov. 4. Flights operate five times per week (every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Begins Nov. 5. Flights operate five times per week (every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Tampa (TPA)
- Begins Nov. 8. Flights operate three times per week (Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays).
Fort Myers (RSW)
- Begins Nov. 11. Flights operate two times per week (Thursdays and Sundays).