Avelo drops 6 cities as it extends schedule to January, doubles down on New Haven and San Juan
Avelo Airlines has extended its schedule through early 2025, opening its booking channels for the holiday season and beyond. The carrier — which launched operations more than three years ago — will serve 49 destinations spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico, including 16 new destinations launched in recent months.
However, it's also making some network cuts in the process — a move that the airline said is about trimming routes that haven't been profitable.
Specifically, Avelo plans to pull out of a half-dozen cities altogether, TPG learned Tuesday.
The Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier will cease operations at six small airports — either ending service in August or not resuming winter seasonal routes that operated this past year.
Network changes
Here's a rundown of Avelo’s planned market exits:
- Lansing Airport (LAN) in Michigan — won’t resume winter seasonal service
- Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) in Michigan — won’t resume winter seasonal service
- Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) in Iowa — won’t resume winter seasonal service
- Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) — service ends Aug. 31
- Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) in New York — service ends Aug. 18
- Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) in Texas — service ends Aug. 31
In announcing the news, the carrier noted it's "grateful for the support" it received from these communities; however, it said service from these six airports has not been profitable and likely won't be in the foreseeable future.
"Every route Avelo flies must be profitable or be on a trend line towards that goal," the company said in a statement Tuesday. "In most cases, the routes we enter succeed and we continue service. However, with those that do not – like these six — we must make the difficult decision to exit the route and better utilize our resources in high-growth opportunities elsewhere in our network."
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At five of the six airports above, Avelo served just one destination in 2024: Orlando International Airport (MCO). From Brownsville, the airline served not only Orlando but also its Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) base. One interesting sidenote is that Brownsville was Avelo's only city to be connected to both its East Coast and West Coast operations. Once that destination falls off Avelo's map, the carrier's eastern and western networks will have no overlap.
Small airports' challenges persistent in recent years
These cuts are sure to be disappointing news in these cities — some of which have struggled to land commercial air service in recent years. In April, TPG highlighted those specific challenges in Dubuque and at numerous other airports across the country. These challenges have been persistent since the pandemic.
Avelo sees growth potential
For Avelo's part, these changes are meant to facilitate future growth for the young airline.
“These changes allow us to double down on the high-growth opportunities ahead of us in our existing network," the company said. It noted it will "have more to share" later this month, perhaps teasing future plans to bolster service elsewhere.
Avelo has seen strong growth at some of its bases in recent months, to be sure. Most notably, the carrier has grown at a rapid pace this year out of Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut.
This summer, Avelo’s scheduled seats out of New Haven are set to grow nearly 40% over last summer, Cirium data shows. It has grown at a similar pace in Burbank.
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The carrier also recently opened a new crew base at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, in the heart of California’s wine country.
Schedule extension
Though Avelo’s schedule extension into early January did not feature any new routes, the carrier noted it will increase its service frequency between New Haven and Luis Munoz International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Starting in November, Avelo will operate four weekly round trips instead of two — with flights running on Fridays and Mondays, in addition to its current Wednesday and Saturday schedule.
To date, Avelo has served 4.8 million customers on 38,000 flights since commencing service in April 2021.
Travelers can currently book Avelo flights through Jan. 7, 2025.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.