Avelo Airlines Plane Pull at Tweed Airport to Benefit Special Olympics

Avelo Airlines is partnering with Special Olympics Connecticut again this year to host the 2nd Annual Plane Pull benefiting athletes of all abilities at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). The event will take place throughout the day on Tuesday, September 24th. Teams may register now at soct.org. For more information or assistance in signing up a team, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call 203-230-1201.

Participants will flex their muscles and show their support for Special Olympics athletes by coming together to pull an Avelo Airlines Boeing Next-Generation 737 jetliner 20 feet. Each member of the winning team who pulls the 90,000-pound aircraft 20 feet the fastest will be awarded a free Avelo roundtrip ticket. Every member of the top fundraising team will also receive a free Avelo roundtrip ticket. Teams of 20 or more members are suggested and the minimum donation to participate is $2,000 - just $100 per person.

"We look forward to building on the momentum, success and goodwill that was generated through last year's Plane Pull and to having more community and corporate teams involved in this awesome event. It is a tremendous privilege to partner with friends from Avelo Airlines and Tweed New Haven Airport to give participants power and purpose - and a unique, memorable way to help our athletes thrive and shine in sports and all they do," said Mike Mason, Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO.

Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We are very proud of our partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut and grateful for the life-changing opportunities they offer their athletes. Working together as One Crew is a core value at Avelo and our partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut is a powerful expression of our unifying spirit of collaboration. This Plane Pull will not only be a fun day of teambuilding for organizations from across the state, but more importantly a demonstration of Connecticut pulling together for these inspiring athletes.”

"Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) is proud to host the 2nd Annual Plane Pull,” said Michael Jones, CEO of The New HVN. “This exciting event demonstrates not just the power of teamwork and dedication, but community spirit. We invite everyone to join us on September 24th to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut and help make a difference in the lives of these remarkable athletes.”

In addition to presenting the Plane Pull for Special Olympics Connecticut, Avelo Airlines has also provided transportation for 50 athletes and delegates who attended the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando in 2022 and hosted a grand send-off and festive welcome home celebration for them.

Since commencing service at HVN In November 2021, Avelo Airlines has flown more than 2.4 million Customers on more than 17,000 flights. New Haven is Avelo’s largest base – employing over 250 Crewmembers supporting eight aircraft. Beginning November 7, Avelo will also establish dual operations at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL) as part of its regional Connecticut base, positioning two aircraft in Hartford with seven additional routes including nonstop routes to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Cancun, Mexico. This expansion enables Avelo to significantly expand its convenient, affordable and reliable air service in Connecticut with 33 total nonstop routes.

About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 190 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Bozzuto's Inc., the Connecticut Elks Association, Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource, The Hometown Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney, Webster Bank and WWE.
Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Bozzuto's Inc., Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, iHeart Radio Connecticut, N&D Sports, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, Pepperidge Farm, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.

About Avelo Airlines
Avelo Airlines’ purpose is to Inspire Travel by saving people time and money. The airline offers travelers time and money-saving convenience, everyday low fares, and a refreshingly smooth, caring and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of 19 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 54 popular destinations across the United States, Jamaica and Mexico, including its six bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and the Bay Area’s Sonoma County Airport (STS). On October 24, 2024, Avelo will open its Central Florida Base at Lakeland International Airport (LAL). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom.