Avelo cuts service to 6 cities while expanding its schedule through January, focusing more on New Haven and San Juan

Avelo Airlines has prolonged its schedule into early 2025, making booking available for the holiday season and beyond. Since launching operations over three years ago, the airline now serves 49 destinations across 23 states and Puerto Rico, including 16 new locations introduced recently.

Nonetheless, the airline is also making some reductions to its network—an effort to eliminate routes that haven’t been profitable.

Specifically, Avelo plans to completely withdraw from six cities, as TPG learned on Tuesday.

The Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier will halt operations at six smaller airports—either ending service in August or not resuming the winter seasonal routes that were available last year.

Changes in the network

Here’s a summary of Avelo's upcoming market withdrawals:

Lansing Airport (LAN) in Michigan — will not resume winter seasonal service
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) in Michigan — will not resume winter seasonal service
Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) in Iowa — will not resume winter seasonal service
Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) — service will end on August 31
Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) in New York — service will end on August 18
Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) in Texas — service will end on August 31

In making this announcement, the airline expressed gratitude for the support it received from these communities. However, it stated that service from these six airports has not been financially viable and is unlikely to improve in the near future.

"Every route Avelo operates must generate profit or show potential for profitability," the company emphasized in a statement on Tuesday. "Generally, routes we initiate thrive, allowing us to continue service. Yet, for those that don't — such as these six — we must make the tough choice to exit and reallocate our resources to more promising opportunities within our network."

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At five of the six airports mentioned earlier, Avelo connected to only one destination in 2024: Orlando International Airport (MCO). From Brownsville, the airline not only served Orlando but also its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). Notably, Brownsville was Avelo's sole city linking its East Coast and West Coast operations. Once this destination is removed from Avelo's route map, the carrier's eastern and western networks will no longer intersect.

Small airports continue to face ongoing challenges in recent years

These service reductions will undoubtedly be disappointing for these cities, many of which have had difficulties securing commercial air service in recent years. In April, TPG underscored these particular challenges in Dubuque and many other airports nationwide. These issues have been ongoing since the pandemic.

Dubuque Regional Airport located in Dubuque, Iowa. DUBUQUE REGIONAL AIRPORT

Avelo identifies growth opportunities

These adjustments are aimed at promoting future expansion for the emerging airline, according to Avelo.

"These modifications enable us to concentrate on the significant growth prospects available within our current network," the company stated. It also mentioned that it will "have more information to share" later this month, possibly hinting at future plans to enhance service in other areas.

Avelo has experienced significant growth at several of its bases in recent months. Notably, the airline has expanded rapidly this year from Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut.

This summer, Avelo's scheduled seating capacity from New Haven is projected to increase by nearly 40% compared to last summer, according to Cirium data. The airline has also expanded at a similar rate in Burbank.

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The airline has recently established a new crew base at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, situated in the heart of California's wine region.

Schedule Expansion

Although Avelo's schedule extension into early January does not introduce any new routes, the airline announced it will enhance its service frequency between New Haven and Luis Munoz International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Beginning in November, Avelo will operate four weekly round trips instead of two, with flights on Fridays and Mondays added to the existing Wednesday and Saturday schedule.