Avelo Airlines To Announce New Destinations Outside FL In 'Days'

NEW HAVEN, CT - Since Avelo Airlines flew its inaugural flight out of Tweed-New Haven Airport to Florida on Nov. 3, its three Boeing jets have hit the skies nearly 600 times. And, 70,000 people have visited the airport, Avelo and Tweed officials said.

At a news conference at the airport Friday looking at Avelo’s first 100 days, Sen. Richard Blumenthal noted that Tweed had been “given up for dead.”

Airline, airport and local, state and federal officials declared it resurrected.

“We’re just getting started,” Tweed New Haven Airport Tweed Executive Director Sean Scanlon said.

Avelo CEO Andrew Levy and Scanlon both said that in Avelo’s first 100 days, 100 people were hired, and that number will double this year. The number of planes will double, too. And that’s because Avelo will in days announce additional flights “outside of Florida.” Avelo flies to six Florida destinations.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said that he’s heard from “regular people” who could not previously afford a flight, have taken trips to Florida in the last few months. Avelo’s fares to the Sunshine State start at $49 one way.

East Haven Mayor Joseph A Carfora, who was not at the news event, told Patch that “today’s news by Avelo is a positive sign that progress at Tweed can benefit our community.” But quickly added that, as he’s said for more than a year, any airport expansion must benefit the town and its residents.

Last month, Patch asked New Haven and East Haven readers on its Facebook page to share their thoughts on life near the airport since Avelo began its flights last November. Hundreds and hundreds commented.

“I have been crystal clear that our community needs to be treated as a partner and that any growth must be done with the protections in place,” he said. And, if there is continued job creation, “East Haven residents need to be direct beneficiaries.”

Watch the full Friday news conference here.

Read more here >

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