Startup airline Avelo adds 3 Florida routes from all-new destinations

Avelo Airlines, the new startup carrier from seasoned industry executives, is spreading its wings this fall.

On Tuesday the airline announced three new routes from two all-new destinations, with the full details below:

• Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), beginning Oct. 19.
• PHF to Orlando International Airport (MCO), beginning Oct. 20.
• Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to MCO, beginning Oct. 26.

Service from Newport News, Virginia, will operate twice weekly between Oct. 20 and Nov. 9 on Thursdays and Sundays. The airline will add Tuesday service on the two routes beginning Nov. 10. Newport News sits near the end of the Virginia Peninsula, located 30 miles from Norfolk.

Meanwhile, flights to and from Lansing, Michigan, will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

As an ultra-low-cost carrier focused on leisure travel, Avelo's choice to primarily operate the new routes around a weekend timetable makes sense: Weekends are when the airline can capitalize on families and friends traveling to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

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In fact, Orlando is quickly growing as one of Avelo's biggest bases. The airline officially added the home of Mickey Mouse to its list of operating bases earlier this year in April; it joined existing hubs at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN).

As one of the county's most popular leisure destinations, it seems reasonable for Avelo to start building its service to Orlando. The airline will soon offer five routes to the Florida city, including the two newly announced ones and existing service from HVN, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Wilmington International Airport (ILM).

All of the new routes will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. Avelo flies both the -700 and -800 variants of the jet, which feature 147 seats and 189 seats, respectively.

Even though Avelo is a no-frills airline with an a la carte fee model, the communities in Lansing and Newport News are likely celebrating the airline's move to add service there.

To date, getting to Florida has required at least one stop from either airport. Lansing sees service on American Eagle to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), as well as on Delta Connection to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

Meanwhile, Newport News is connected to two of American's hubs: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Now, there will be nonstop service to Florida. Whether it succeeds is anyone's guess, but at least the introductory fares starting at $29 are quite attractive.