Avelo doubles its flight schedule out of Sonoma County
One of America's newest airlines is doubling down on California's wine country with the launch of four new routes planned for this spring.
Avelo Airlines on Wednesday announced a handful of new routes that will double the ultra-low-cost carrier's presence at Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS).
The move comes as the Houston-based budget airline plans to shift its crew base from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Santa Rosa as of May 1. Avelo also maintains crew bases at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California, Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware and Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut.
With Avelo already operating four routes out of Sonoma County, it's now adding four additional nonstop destinations from its future base.
The new routes include service to Boise, smaller cities in Oregon and Washington, and an airport just a short drive from Glacier National Park in Montana.
In Santa Rosa, airport executives say this route announcement from Avelo represents the single largest route announcement in the airport's history.
"Avelo is really expanding the travel possibilities here at STS," airport manager Jon Stout said in a statement. "This is, in the best way, going to be impactful for all of Sonoma County's residents."
Avelo's new routes from Sonoma County
Here's how Avelo's new routes from Santa Rosa shake out. Each begins in May, shortly after the opening of the new crew base there.
STS to Boise
Beginning May 2, Avelo will fly from Sonoma to Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho.
The busiest airport of the four destinations, Boise is currently served by a handful of airlines, which fly to 20-plus destinations. Avelo already flies to the airport from its base in Burbank, California.
The service will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
STS to Kalispell, Montana
Avelo's new service from Santa Rosa to Montana launches May 1 with Wednesday and Saturday flights.
The airline will fly to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, which is some 20 miles from Glacier National Park.
The airport currently has service to a handful of network carriers' western hubs, not to mention to Burbank on Avelo.
STS to Salem, Oregon
Avelo's new service between STS and Salem Municipal Airport (SLE) in Oregon launches May 3, operating on Mondays and Fridays. Avelo is the only commercial airline serving Salem, which is about 50 miles south of Portland, situated between Portland and Eugene.
STS to Pasco, Washington
Finally, Avelo's fourth new route out of Santa Rosa will begin May 1, to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington.
Avelo will fly this route on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Bottom line
Between the existing, already-planned and newly announced routes, here's what Avelo's route map out of Sonoma County will look like come May.
The carrier plans to hire up to 50 employees as it shifts its crew base to the airport. So, it definitely seems possible that Avelo could keep growing in Santa Rosa — once the destination for the airline's inaugural flight in April 2021.
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