Avelo adds 3rd route from Lexington, Kentucky, to Florida

Residents of Lexington, Kentucky, will soon be able to fly directly to the warm skies of Fort Myers, Florida.

Avelo Airlines is adding a new nonstop route from Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) near Fort Myers, the airline announced Thursday.

The new service marks the discount carrier’s third route from Lexington; it joins routes to the Florida cities of Tampa and Orlando.

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Avelo will be the only carrier offering service on those routes from Lexington; however, ultra-low-cost rival Allegiant Air flies from Lexington to alternate airports in those same regions.

Avelo’s fares to Fort Myers begin at $59 each way, but like most ultra-low-cost carriers, the airline charges extra for everything from carry-on bags to seat assignments.

During the past year, Avelo has established the popular Florida tourist destination as a base. Once the Lexington flights begin, Avelo will fly to six seasonal and year-round destinations from Fort Myers. The other five destinations are New Haven, Connecticut; Binghamton, New York; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, Michigan; and Lansing, Michigan.

Since its inception in 2021, Avelo has ramped up its presence primarily in smaller cities along the East and West coasts. Aside from its newest base in Fort Myers, the airline has other bases in Orlando, New Haven and Burbank, California.

Despite its primary focus on smaller markets, Avelo does offer some service to larger cities like Baltimore, Chicago and Las Vegas.

The carrier has grown rapidly in 2022, adding numerous new routes amid an ambitious expansion.