Avelo Airlines Will Host Plane Pull to Benefit Special Olympics

Avelo Airlines is joining forces with Special Olympics Connecticut to host a first-of-its-kind Plane Pull at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) on Tuesday, September 12th to benefit Special Olympics athletes.

Registration is now open for teams to participate in the Plane Pull. All registration fee proceeds will be devoted to supporting Special Olympics Connecticut athletes.

Participants will flex their muscles and show their support for athletes of all abilities by coming together to pull an Avelo Airlines Boeing Next-Generation 737 jetliner 20 feet. Each member of the winning team that pulls the 90,000-pound aircraft 20 feet the fastest will receive a free Avelo roundtrip ticket.

To find out more, register a team of 20 or more members and begin raising a minimum of $2,000 - just $100 per person - click here (or, go to https://give.soct.org/planepull). Questions? Email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call 203-230-1201. Tweed-New Haven Airport is located at 155 Burr Street, New Haven, and the event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Avelo Airlines is the Presenting Sponsor, WWE is the Platinum Sponsor and the Omni New Haven Hotel, Bronze Sponsor of the event.

"We're thrilled to be partnering with our caring friends from Avelo Airlines for this awesome event. It aims to inspire the same kind of teamwork, perseverance and joy that Special Olympics athletes display at their competitions, while raising the funds we need to provide year-round sports training and health education and screenings that strengthen and empower our athletes," said Mike Mason, Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO.

The Plane Pull will offer an exciting experience and unique opportunity to win bragging rights and prizes to groups that may include corporate teams, members of community and civic organizations, first responders, families and friends who seek to share in a challenge that will send their spirits soaring!

“We are very proud of our partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut and grateful for the life-changing opportunities they offer their athletes,” said Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “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.”

It may be their first Plane Pull together, but not the first time Avelo Airlines and Special Olympics Connecticut have collaborated. Avelo Airlines provided transportation for 50 athletes and delegates who attended the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando and hosted a grand send-off and festive welcome home celebration for them.

Since commencing service at HVN In November 2021, Avelo has flown more than 1.2 million Customers on more than 10,000 flights. Avelo currently serves 18 nonstop destinations from Tweed Airport where it employs approximately 200 Crewmembers.

About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for close to 10,000 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, 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, Marcus Communications, N&D Sports, Pepperidge Farm, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service, WORX, Heart Connecticut Media Group, iHeart Radio Connecticut and NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut.

About Avelo Airlines
Avelo Airlines was founded with a simple purpose — to Inspire Travel. The airline offers Customers time and money-saving convenience, low everyday fares and a refreshingly smooth and caring experience through its Soul of Service culture. Operating a fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 47 popular destinations across the U.S. This includes its five bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Avelo will open a sixth base at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in September. For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom.