- Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is adding three new routes out of its New Haven base in Southern Connecticut.
- The new routes, none of which are to Florida, make Avelo the carrier with the most nonstops from the state.
- The announcement further fuels the competition with rival Breeze Airways, which is establishing a base in Hartford.
Newcomer Avelo Airlines is adding more nonstop flights out of Connecticut, further fueling the low-cost battle in the state.
On Tuesday, Avelo announced it will begin flying to Baltimore, Chicago Midway, and Raleigh, North Carolina, from Tweed-New Haven Airport in May. The move brings the carrier's Connecticut network to 13 routes, making it the airline with the most nonstop flights out of the state.
"It's abundantly clear that Tweed's unmatched convenience is making travel easier, smoother, and more affordable than ever before," CEO Andrew Levy said in a press release. "We believe these three new destinations will be a big hit with leisure and business travelers alike."
Prior to Avelo's Tuesday announcement, the carrier served 10 nonstop flights from Connecticut, tying with Southwest and JetBlue, both of which operate out of Hartford.
Since Avelo opened its East Coast base in New Haven, Connecticut has turned into a low-cost battlefield between the airline and competitor Breeze Airways.
In February, Breeze announced its fifth base at Hartford's Bradley International Airport, just north of the state's capital. The new base complements the carrier's operations in Norfolk, Tampa, New Orleans, and Charleston.
Currently, Breeze flies to four destinations out of Hartford, including Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
However, the airline announced on Tuesday that the city would be getting six new routes in June, including Nashville, Savannah, Richmond, Jacksonville, Sarasota, and Akron/Canton, Ohio.
According to the Hartford Courant, Breeze initially planned to add eight new routes in Hartford this summer, but rising fuel prices amid the crisis in Ukraine has forced the airline to hold off.
"Let's see where fuel goes, and we'll add the other two as soon as we can," a company spokesperson told the newspaper
Breeze's route expansion comes three weeks after Avelo revealed its first non-Florida routes out of New Haven, including Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Charleston, and Savannah. Avelo is the sole operator out of New Haven and faces no direct competition.
Take a closer look at Avelo's three new routes out of New Haven.
Between New Haven and Baltimore
Avelo will fly five times weekly between New Haven and Baltimore on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays beginning May 26. Fares start at $49 one-way.
Between New Haven and Raleigh
Avelo will fly five times weekly between New Haven and Raleigh on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays beginning May 26. Fares start at $59 one-way.
Between New Haven and Chicago Midway
Avelo will fly five times weekly between New Haven and Chicago Midway on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays beginning May 26. Fares start at $69 one-way.