Avelo Airlines Brings 1st Airline Service Back To Lakeland Florida In +10 Years & Makes Plans For International Flights

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Summary

  • Avelo Airlines will commence exclusive scheduled passenger services to Lakeland International Airport, the first the airport has seen in a decade.
  • The airline has also requested authorization from the US DoT to launch international services to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
  • Avelo Airlines last year turned its first profit, with revenue up by 74% and passenger numbers up by 85%, compared to 2022.

American carrier Avelo Airlines is set to launch a new non-stop service to Florida’s Lakeland International Airport, marking the first return of commercial passenger service at Lakeland in over a decade. The airline is also eyeing flights to Mexico and the Dominican Republic later this year.

Exclusive operations

Avelo Airlines announced earlier this week its plan to launch a new non-stop service connecting Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) in Southern Connecticut with Lakeland International Airport (LAL) in Central Florida. While this is a new route for the airline, it is also notable that Avelo will be the only carrier operating commercial passenger services to LAL in over a decade.

The airline aims to launch the route later this year on June 13, 2024, with a twice-weekly service operated by the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737NG aircraft (which consists of Boeing 737-700 and the larger Boeing 737-800). Seats on this route are already on sale, with the airline offering introductory one-way fares starting from $72.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

In a statement, Airline Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy commented:

“Lakeland – say hello to Avelo! We’re proud to be the only airline serving LAL and are excited to introduce Lakeland to Avelo’s low fares, travel-friendly convenience, and industry-leading reliability.”

Levy also stated that this new route will allow HVN to serve as a gateway to New England and New York while also making it easy for passengers to explore central Florida. This is thanks to LAL’s proximity to the I-4 corridor and its location between the larger Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Going international

Apart from domestic expansion, reports from ch-aviation show that Avelo Airlines has also requested authorization from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch scheduled passenger services this year from the US to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

While the airline states that these requests have been filed as its initial step to gaining regulatory approval, Avelo has not stated which points in Mexico or the Dominican Republic it aims to connect to.

Avelo 737 flying

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

The airline is also eyeing other potential destinations that do not require regulatory filings to be made on the US side. The airline will make more information about these international routes available later this year.

Airline expansion

Having commenced operations nearly three years ago, Avelo Airlines is rapidly expanding its route network and fleet. Earlier this year, the airline posted its first year of profit, which saw the airline generating revenue of $265 million in 2023, up by 74% from 2022. The carrier also saw passenger numbers increase by 85% in 2023 compared to previous years.

Related


Major Milestone: Avelo Airlines Turns First Profit

The ultra-low-cost carrier ended 2023 on a high with its strongest financial performance yet.

Additionally, the airline recently, as part of its route expansion, announced three new routes to the East Coast, which include:

Departure

Arrival

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1.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Albany International Airport (ALB)

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2.

Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

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3.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

Rochester International Airport (ROC)

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Avelo Boeing 737
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Alongside the route expansion, the carrier is also expanding its fleet of Boeing 737NGs. While Avelo currently has 16 aircraft in its fleet, the airline recently announced its plan to dry lease five additional 737NGs from GOL Linhas Aereas, upping its fleet to 21 aircraft.

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Avelo Airlines To Take 5 Boeing 737NGs From GOL

The ultra-low-cost airline continues to grow its fleet.

What do you think of Avelo Airlines’ significant expansion plans? Let us know in the comments below!



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