Avelo will look at expanding to new markets – and could reenter the West Coast – after taking delivery of its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft in 2027, according to a report from Aviation Week.
Speaking at the recent Routes Takeoff North America conference in Tallahassee, Florida, Avelo’s director of network planning, Mike Corcoran, said the airline’s near-term plan is to consolidate operations and promote awareness of the brand. Once the E2 starts arriving, however, that strategy will shift toward network growth.
“We absolutely plan to expand nationally once again,” Corcoran said. “The E2 is really going to enable us to serve the West Coast in a more efficient way.”
“For a long time, we had dual operations on the West and East coasts,” he continued. “It’s really challenging to run an airline of our size in those two disparate geographies without any connectivity in the middle. The E2 is going to enable us to go back there, probably in a smarter, more effective way.”
Corcoran’s comments were first reported on by Aviation Week.
The ultra-low-cost carrier shuttered its base in Burbank, California, and withdrew entirely from the West Coast this year, citing inadequate financial returns. It is currently building and reworking its network on the East Coast, adding some new airports while dropping others.
The airline has identified around 20 airports where E2 aircraft could be based, Corcoran said, but he did not name them at the conference.
In the meantime, Avelo will build up its presence at airports it already serves, he added.
The carrier has ordered 50 E2s with options for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first half of 2027. Avelo will be the first U.S. carrier to operate the type. It plans to keep the 737 for higher-capacity markets.
