The new US-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Avelo Airlines is continuing on its path of expansion. Wilmington, Delaware, is the latest addition to the carrier’s network. Booking figures look particularly promising ahead of the inaugural flight from the airline’s new base. Let’s look closely at the carrier’s expansion in the US market.

A new base for Avelo in the Delaware Valley

On February 1st, the less-than-a-year-old American low-cost carrier Avelo Air will open its brand new base at Delaware’s Wilmington Airport (ILG). This is not to be confused with Wilmington International Airport (ILM).

The US carrier announced today that it is witnessing a positive booking trend for all flights operated from the airline’s new base. Initially, the budget airline will link the Delaware Valley to five destinations in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. The table below illustrates Avelo’s schedule from Wilmington airport starting next February.

The inaugural flight from Wilmington’s new base will have Orlando as the first destination. To celebrate the significant step in its expansion strategy and to stimulate demand out of Wilmington, Avelo Air has launched special fares starting from $49. However, to take advantage of this offer, tickets must be purchased by January 24th and are valid for flights up to June 19th.

On the occasion, Avelo Air Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy shared the airline expects the Wilmington base to be a successful one, based on the encouraging booking patterns for all the five initial destinations Avelo will serve:

"“With 14 days to go, we are very encouraged by the initial demand from across the four-state Delaware Valley region. We are seeing strong booking trends across all five Florida destinations Avelo will serve from Wilmington.

"It is clear there is a lot of excitement about the convenient, affordable and reliable service Avelo is bringing to the region".

At first, Avelo will base one Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation (NG) at Wilmington. The opening of the new base has also translated into new job opportunities. Notably, Avelo has opened 35 new positions at Wilmington, including Airport Customer Service, Aircraft Technical Operations and Maintenance, flight attendants, pilots, and supervisors.

The strength of Wilmington Airport

It is not easy to succeed in a highly liberalized aviation market like the US. Therefore, airlines need to be cautious when planning where to fly, with which aircraft type, and in which airports to invest to support their growth. Consequently, one might wonder what has led Avelo Air to choose Wilmington.

To answer this question, it is helpful to consider the characteristic of the airfield. The strategic aspect of this airport mainly lies in its catchment area, which covers portions of four different states: Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the northern Eastern Shore of Maryland. Additionally, Wilmington is well-connected to several major highways, making it even more easily accessible.

The executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Thomas Cook, stressed how the catchment area and the relatively small dimension of Wilmington airport have led Avelo to choose it as its next base in the US:

"The Wilmington Airport is all about convenience. It is in a perfect location between Philly and Baltimore that offers customers the option to forego the hassles of a big city airport.

"We want to be the airport of choice for people in Delaware, South Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland who seek both low fares and a convenient, hassle-free airport experience".

Wilmington represents the latest addition to the four already existing Avelo bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

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  Avelo Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  XP/VXP

  Airline Type:

  Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Hollywood Burbank Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Raleigh–Durham International Airport, Wilmington Airport

  Year Founded:

  2018

  CEO:

  Andrew Levy

  Country:

  United States

  Region:

  North America