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August 20, 2021

Avelo offers new nonstop flights from Tweed to Florida starting Nov. 3

Liese Klein | New Haven Biz Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy announces four new flights to Florida from Tweed airport starting Nov. 3, 2021.
By Liese Klein, New Haven Biz

A brand-new airline will start offering nonstop flights from New Haven’s Tweed airport to four cities in Florida starting Nov. 3, airport officials said Thursday.

Avelo Airlines, in operation since April, will fly to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa Bay at the promotional price of $59 each way. 

The airline’s 147-seat 737s will fly to Florida and back, with five weekly to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, three weekly to Tampa and two weekly to Fort Myers.

Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said, “These first four destinations are just the beginning… We expect this to be the very beginning of our presence here in New Haven.”

Florida was the top pick of destinations in a sweepstakes Avelo held this summer which drew 6,000 entries, Levy said. “Florida was the overwhelming choice,” he added. Other cities under consideration for future service include Washington, D.C.

Recruiting is slated to begin as soon as next week for 100 jobs expected to be created by the New Haven flights at Avelo, Levy said. Additional jobs will also be added at Tweed to service the flights. 

Avelo has also promised to spend $1.2 million to help upgrade and modernize facilities at Tweed and launch a $100 million overhaul to include a new terminal and extended runway.

The new Florida flights were announced at a morning press conference in front of Tweed’s terminal, with city and regional officials plus U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Lt. Governor Susan  Bysiewicz in attendance. 

Tweed Executive Director Sean Scanlon said, “This announcement is just another step in the direction we've been taking here in the last few months as we try to make sure that this airport finally meets its full potential.”

The announcement drew several protesters from the surrounding neighborhoods, who object to expansion at Tweed due to environmental, noise, pollution and traffic concerns. 

“The noise is already too loud,” said Jules Scanley, a resident holding up a big “thumbs-down” sign at the news conference. He added that he’s skeptical about the airport’s vow to replace wetlands lost in the expansion and fears a lack of accountability on promises made to the neighborhoods. 

A New Haven City Plan Commission hearing relating to Tweed's expansion in New Haven on Wednesday night featured passionate debate about the impact of air travel on climate change. No decision was made; the hearing was continued until Aug. 25.

With recent consolidation leading to high prices and limited choice in the airline industry, Avelo is seeking to offer an affordable, no-frills alternative for Connecticut travelers, Levy said. 

Avelo’s craft are, “great, spacious airplanes that are unlike what you've seen here at Tweed New Haven for many many years,” Levy said. 

“We think the timing on this is terrific coming out of the pandemic,” Levy said of the New Haven flights. “Avelo comes to the rescue.”

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