New kid on the airline block, Avelo Airlines, is teaming up with Connecticut's Tweed New Haven Airport to give away airline tickets. Avelo Airlines is scheduled to begin flying from Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in October. To mark the airline's arrival, free tickets are being given away to Connecticut residents.

Free Avelo flight tickets for Connecticut residents

“We are excited about Avelo’s arrival at HVN," said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. From Thursday, Connecticut residents who are 18 years of age or older can enter to win two roundtrip tickets on Avelo Airlines through the Avelo Pick and Pack Sweepstakes.

The return tickets will take the winner and their travel buddy to any destination on Avelo's network. With a pair of tickets, the winner can take their partner, friend, or child along for the ride. Alternatively, the winner might prefer a little solitude away from them and choose to fly solo, enjoying some extra elbow room on Avelo's Boeing 737-800s.

Avelo Airlines began flying out of Los Angeles Burbank Airport (BUR) in April with a fleet of three Boeings. Shortly after, Mr Levy announced a second base at Tweed New Haven, with flights there to start "later in the year." Connecticut-based media now narrows that start date to October.

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Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy confirmed he will continue his battle against the National Mediation Board in a statement to employees on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images

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Avelo's imminent arrival is good news for Tweed New Haven Airport

Avelo's interest in southern Connecticut is good news for HVN. Currently, the airport's sole airline is American Airlines. They operate American Eagle flights to Philadelphia. Avelo is investing $1.2 million into the airport to help upgrade and modernize facilities and operations. That includes hiring and basing more than 100 pilots, flight attendants, customer support personnel, and technicians at Tweed New Haven Airport.

"We are extremely excited to begin moving forward with changes at the airport that will bring about new flights and expanded service,” said Jorge Roberts, CEO of Avports, operator of HVN. “Avelo AIrlines is a great partner to be working with as we invest together in building a new HVN, and this sweepstakes is an exciting way for them to build bridges with the local community.'

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An Avelo Boeing 737-800 about to touch down. Photo: Getty Images

Avelo trims its route network

Since flights began nearly four months ago, Avelo has spread its wings to around a dozen destinations across the western half of the United States from its Burbank base. But months into its first flights, Avelo is already quietly trimming its network.

The airline is ending its flights to Grand Junction, CO, (GJT) on August 16. Avelo is also terminating flights to Bozeman, MT, (BZN) on September 15. Avelo attributes the decision to "customer insights."

"The airlines business comes down to flying when and where our customers want to go," Avelo's Natalie Scott told The New Haven Register on Thursday. "We will re-evaluate returning to these markets for the summer of 2022."

Avelo's fast exit from these two markets has not gone unnoticed in New Haven. Despite its status as a university city, Avelo's choice of HVN as its second base raised some eyebrows. However, Sean Scanlon, Executive Director at Tweed New Haven Airport, says he isn't concerned about Avelo's commitment to HVN.

Calling Grand Junction and Bozeman far-flung destinations that didn't work out, Sean Scanlon said Avelo was no fly by night airline. He also said Avelo's CEO Andrew Levy had a highly respected and longstanding airline industry background.

"They passed the smell test," Scanlon said. Meanwhile, Connecticut residents can visit Avelo's website to register to win a pair of airline tickets. There are a few hoops for would-be winners to jump through. Winners will be picked at random on August 30, 2021.