Texas's XTRA Airways adds B737-800s for the new brand

Southwest eyes South American expansion

Famous for revolutionising US low-cost domestic flying, Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field) is now considering expanding to the northern part of South America from its existing footprint in North America, but no immediate services are expected in the short- or medium-term, a company spokesperson says.

The airline was responding to a request for clarification from ch-aviation, after outgoing Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly recently hinted that after 50 years in service, the US’s largest low-cost carrier might look at intercontinental expansion to South America. "With the Boeing 737, just looking at North and South America, we have all kinds of growth opportunities," he said on CNBC's “Squawk on the Street” podcast.

"Gary and our leadership team frequently cite the potential of additional destinations within the range of the 737, from our existing footprint, which would include the northern horn of South America and all places in between there and our concentrated footprint in North America. No news specific to share and there is no intentional work underway to bring service in the near or medium-term...

Texas's Avelo Airlines to open New Haven, CT base in 3Q21

Texan start-up Avelo Airlines (XP, Burbank) has announced its first US East Coast base at New Haven, Connecticut with operations from there scheduled to start in 3Q21 to as yet unnamed destinations.

Avelo will invest USD1.2 million into the regional airport to help upgrade and modernise facilities and operations. It will base at least one B737-700 out of the coastal Connecticutian airport whose only scheduled service at present is a 5x weekly flight to Philadelphia Int'l operated by Republic Airways E175s on behalf of American Airlines.

The B737-700s will be the airline's first of the type given its current fleet comprises three B737-800s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module reveals. Avelo Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Levy told ch-aviation it was premature to provide more details on the aircraft. "We will know exactly which tails will be there in another 60 days. The B737-700s will all be leased," he said.

Avelo will employ more than 100 crew members at New Haven Tweed by the end of 2021,...

Editorial Comment: Added comment by CEO Andrew Levy. - 11.05.2021 - 08:29 UTC

Texas's Avelo Airlines to debut ops in mid-2Q21

Avelo Airlines (XP, Burbank) will launch commercial flight operations later this quarter using Burbank, an airport that serves Downtown Los Angeles and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, as its inaugural base of operations.

In a statement, Avelo founder, chairman, and CEO Andrew Levy said the budget carrier would look to connect the secondary Los Angeles airport with the following unserved cities from April 28, 2021, onwards:

• Santa Rosa, CA (daily, starts April 28);
• Pasco (3x weekly, starts April 29);
• Bozeman (4x weekly, starts April 30);
• Phoenix Williams Gateway (daily, starts May 3);
• Ogden (6x weekly, starts May 4);
• Grand Junction (4x weekly, starts May 9);
• Medford (4x weekly, starts May 9);
• Eugene (4x weekly, begins May 12);
• Redmond (3x weekly, begins May 13);
• Arcata/Eureka (4x weekly, begins May 19);
• Redding (3x weekly, starts May 20).

Previously known as XTRA Airways (XP, Fort Lauderdale Int'l), Avelo operates a single B737-800...

Canada's Nolinor Aviation secures first B737-400s