An American startup Avelo Airlines, is poised to ramp up its US expansion and increase its national footprint by opening its fourth base in Fort Myers this fall. The low-cost carrier issued a statement revealing Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) as its new base of operations in the country.
On September 8, Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy announced that its new Fort Myers base would open in fall this year, joining its other three bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Opening the fourth base at RSW Airport near Fort Myers will offer enhanced flight options for Avelo customers to new destinations like Raleigh-Durham, Binghamton, Kalamazoo, Lansing, etc.
Unlocking new potentials
The Houston-headquartered budget carrier Avelo Airlines flew for the first time on April 28, 2021, and currently marks the second year of its operation. Despite being a new airline, Avelo is preparing for continued growth and bolstering its presence throughout the country. As a part of the carrier’s US expansion, Avelo will station its aircraft and crew in the Sunshine State.
The upcoming operational base at Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International will unlock new potentials for the carrier with the addition of new flights, an extensive route network, deployment of more aircraft, a chance to fly more customers, etc. The announcement comes as the airline tastes success in its initial route between Southern Connecticut (Tweed-New Haven) and Fort Myers.
Serving four new destinations from the fourth base
Beginning this fall, Avelo Airlines will create a meaningful source of new visitors to South Florida by offering air services to four additional destinations from its fourth base at Fort Myers. The carrier already operates nonstop flights connecting Fort Myers to Southern Connecticut and will further increase the frequency to 13 weekly flights this winter.
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Starting November 10, Avelo Airlines will operate three weekly flights between Fort Myers and Raleigh Durham on Tuesdays (09:00-10:50; 11:40-13:40), Thursdays (09:00-10:50; 11:40-13:40), and Sundays (09:00-10:50; 11:40-13:40).
A day later, i.e., on November 11, the low-cost carrier will commence two weekly flights on the Fort Myers- Kalamazoo and the Fort Myers-Lansing routes. Flights to Kalamazoo will depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 16:25 pm and arrive at the destination at 19:15 pm. The return flight will take off at 20:00 and land in Fort Myers at 22:50 pm.
Similarly, twice-weekly services to Lansing will commence on Mondays and Friday. The flight leaves RSW Airport at 09:00 and arrives in Lansing at 11:55. Likewise, the return flight will depart at 12:45 and touches RSW Airport at 15:35.
Overall, Avelo will operate 29 Fort Myers-based flights in October and up the number to 73 in November after the commencement of nonstop flights to four new markets.
Creating new jobs
As the new airline Avelo is opening another crew base at RSW, it aims to create more than 35 aviation jobs to support its operations. Avelos’ Fort Myers-based career opportunities will be available for different roles, including Airport Customer Service, Aircraft Technical Operations and Maintenance, Pilots, Flight Attendants, Supervisors, etc. The fast-growing airline company offers competitive compensation and benefits along with an inclusive and caring culture that is envious of the marketplace.
Basing a single B737-800 jetliner at RSW
Avelo Airlines will base a single fuel-efficient Boeing 737-800 New Generation aircraft at RSW for a comfortable, mainline jet experience for customers traveling nonstop to/from Southwest Florida. As opposed to small regional jets that historically served the airport, Avelo will station its 189-seat B737-800 at the airport in November. At present, the carrier has 11 737NGs and aims to grow the fleet to at least 14 aircraft by the end of this year, which implies just 7% of its fleet will be based at RSW Airport to ferry visitors from cities currently without nonstop service to Southwest Florida.
Avelo customers from Fort Myers will have more choices and a smoother way to visit Michigan and North Carolina at low fares. The nonstop connection means low chances of delays, cancellations, and lost bags. Customers can book flights for all five routes at everyday low fares at AveloAir.com.
About Avelo Airlines
Avelo Airlines is a US discount airline that commenced its operations in April 2021 with a vision to help its customers save money and time. So far, it has operated around 10000 flights ferrying more than one million passengers to small hometown airports across the country.