Avelo launches new flights to Florida, Northeast at ILM

Avelo Airlines announced Wednesday it will launch two new nonstop flights at Wilmington International Airport – one to Fort Myers, Florida, and another to Hartford, Connecticut. 

The new flights will launch in November and run twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. They are part of the “largest expansion” in the budget airline’s history, according to a news release from Avelo.

Avelo will become the only airline offering nonstop service between ILM and the two destinations. The flights to Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL) begin on Nov. 7 with fares starting at $62, according to the release.

With the two new routes, Avelo will serve eight nonstop destinations from ILM, joining three Florida routes to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa and one route to southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport.

Avelo Airlines launched in April 2021 and entered the Wilmington market in June 2022 with nonstop service to New Haven and Orlando along with seasonal nonstop service to Baltimore. Since then, the airline has steadily added nonstop routes.

“Since the start of service at ILM just over two years ago, Avelo has continued to introduce travelers in the Wilmington area to a new era of affordability, convenience and industry-leading reliability,” Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy wrote in the release. “We’re excited to grow at ILM and provide two new nonstop destinations to Fort Myers and Hartford.”

In the release, Wilmington International Airport Director Jeff Bourk noted Avelo’s role in spurring tourism and economic growth in the Wilmington area.

“Avelo’s expanded presence at ILM increases their positive impact on our economy,” he wrote. “In addition to the economic impact, they have been amazing community partners and we are thankful they continue to grow at ILM.”

Avelo also celebrated flying more than 100,000 customers at ILM and announced plans to partner with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's Career and Leadership Development Academy in August to promote careers in aviation.