One week after its inaugural flight from Hollywood Burbank airport (BUR) on April 28, Avelo Airlines (XP) announces the second step of its expansion programme. From Q3 2021, the first new mainline US carrier in 15 years will fly out of a hub positioned on the East Coast. The airline has chosen Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Southern Cunnecticut as its first East Coast base. While 189-seat Boeing 737-800 are used from BUR, XP will employ smaller Boeing 737-700s out of New Haven. The type is going to be the first mainline jet to use the airport, normally served by other airlines using small regional jets.
“We are very excited to partner with HVN as we begin to build our East Coast operations. Our surprisingly low fares and refreshingly smooth travel experience are sure to be embraced by residents of Southern Connecticut,” said Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “Tweed New Haven has enormous potential, and our first East Coast base is great news for Avelo, New Haven, East Haven and other local communities”.
Avelo is investing USD1.2 million into HVN to help upgrade and modernize facilities and operations. The airline will employ more than 100 crewmembers at HVN by the end of the year, including pilots, flight attendants, customer support personnel, and technicians, most locally hired. Avelo’s investment is part of a $100 million project for a new terminal and extended runway at HVN spearheaded by airport operator Avports that will result in the overall creation of up to 11,000 jobs in the area. The ultra low-cost carrier will announce “a mix of popular non stop flights from HVN” in the weeks to come.
Avelo is currently flying a fleet of three Boeing 737-800 from Hollywood Burbank airport (BUR) to as many as 11 destinations in the western US for fares as low as USD19 one-way. Network includes Santa Rosa-Sonoma County (STS), Arcata-Eureka (ACV), Medford-Rogue Valley (MFR), Eugenne (EUG), Redding (RDD), Redmond-Bend (RDM), Pasco Tri-Cities (PSC), Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN), Ogden-Salt Lake City (OGD), Grand Junction (GJT), and Phoenix-Mesa (AZA). (All photos Avelo Air)