On Tuesday, Avelo Airlines announced three new routes from their popular east coast base in New Haven, Conn. The new routes will connect southern Connecticut with popular tourist and business destinations. The airline will launch flights, starting in late May — just in time for the summer travel season — from New Haven to Baltimore, Chicago’s Midway Airport and Raleigh, N.C. The new destinations will bring Avelo and the Tweed-New Haven Airport up to 13 cities served. 

Growth in New Haven

Avelo has seen great success since launching service at Tweed-New Haven. The airline recently passed 100,000 passengers in four months of service. The carrier is the sole operator at the small southern Connecticut airport and takes advantage of the convenience of highway and rail access — making it convenient for travelers across New York and Connecticut. The three new destinations announced today come shortly after the airline announced a four-city expansion beginning in early May. The airline currently operates to six destinations from New Haven, Conn. — all in Florida. 

The three new destinations are all scheduled to begin on May 26. All three will be operated five times a week — with no flights scheduled for Wednesdays or Saturdays. New Haven has previously had flights to Chicago and Baltimore in the 1990s and early 2000s. Avelo will utilize their Boeing 737-700s with 147 seats on the new routes. 

Attracting New Clientele

Avelo’s expansion outside of their typical leisure markets shows their attempt to expand to a potentially lucrative business market. For business travelers on the southern Connecticut coast, the travel options are limited. A journey to New York City’s airports could take over an hour and then congestion can add on even more to the travel time. Hartford, Conn.’s Bradley International Airport — the state’s primary commercial airport — is an hours’ drive inland from the Tweed-New Haven Airport.

Avelo also maintains a west coast base from Burbank — serving 18 destinations across the west coast. The airline found a niche in providing low-cost air service to under-served communities. At the beginning of the year, the airline announced that it was able to secure another $42 million in capital funding — helping to fuel future expansion and new aircraft orders. The airline leans heavily on its company culture and a dedicated staff focusing on the travel experience for the customer.