Avelo Airlines (XP, Burbank) accelerates its expansion across the United States with the opening of a base at Fort Myers Southwest Florida; its second in Florida and its fourth overall behind Burbank, New Haven, and Orlando International.
Beginning in November, Avelo will base one of its B737s at Fort Myers. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, the fleet numbers five B737-800s and six B737-700s. Only two of its B737-800s are owned, the rest of the fleet is leased from Castlelake, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, GECAS, and Genesis Aircraft Services respectively, ch-aviation fleets data shows.
The airline expects to increase its fleet to 14 aircraft by the end of 2022 and to16 by the second quarter of 2023, according to a company statement.
Avelo Airlines currently operates flights several days per week between Fort Myers and New Haven. Beginning November 10, it will serve four additional destinations from Fort Myers: Raleigh/Durham in North Carolina; Binghamton in New York; and two cities in Michigan: Kalamazoo and Lansing.
"Based on the success of our initial route between Southern Connecticut and Fort Myers, we have announced four additional destinations that will take flight from RSW this fall, creating a meaningful source of new visitors to Southwest Florida. This is just the beginning,” promised Chief Executive Officer Andrew Levy. “The opening of Avelo’s fourth base in Fort Myers this fall will enable us to serve more destinations, add more flights, operate more aeroplanes, fly more customers, and employ more crew members."
Avelo Airlines previously operated charter flights as Casino Express (Elko) and XTRA Airways (Fort Lauderdale International), before transitioning to scheduled operations and rebranding as Avelo Airlines on April 8, 2021. It serves 31 destinations across the United States.