Air service will return to the First State early next year after an eight-month absence.
Avelo Airlines will begin service to Delaware’s Wilmington Airport (ILG) on 01 February 2023. The Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier will offer service to five Florida cities, including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), and West Palm Beach (PBI).
Not only will Avelo operate from Wilmington, but it will also be the location of the airline’s fourth crew base. Other bases are located at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California, Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut, and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Avelo’s plans for a crew base at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) are on hold due to the impact on the Fort Myers area from Hurricane Ian in September.
The carrier will deploy Boeing 737-700s on twice-weekly flights from ILG to Florida, with the exception of MCO, which will operate three times weekly.
| ROUTE | SERVICE FREQUENCY |
| ILG-MCO | • Special inaugural flight on 01 February • Mon/Fri/Sat beginning 03 February |
| ILG-FLL | • Thu/Sun beginning 02 February |
| ILG-TPA | • Thu/Sun beginning 02 February |
| ILG-RSW | • Mon/Fri beginning 03 February |
| ILG-PBI | • Wed/Sat beginning 04 February |
Delaware Has Historically Struggled to Retain Commercial Air Service
The announcement of new air service into ILG is welcome news for the Delaware Valley and the state. Delaware is the only state in the country without commercial airline service.
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Sitting in the shadow of America’s 21st busiest airport – Philadelphia International (PHL) – ILG continually struggles to retain what spotty air service it has. PHL is the Northeast’s primary hub for American Airlines and offers service to over 130 cities by more than 20 airlines that offer nearly 500 daily flights. Such a wide array of options attracts many Delawareans, who endure the 30-mile distance between Wilmington and Philadelphia.
Most recently, Delta Connection operated regional jet flights to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) from 2006 to 2007. Aside from a very short stint by now-defunct carrier Skybus Airlines in 2008, Frontier Airlines has been the only airline to operate from ILG. Frontier served ILG from 2013 to 2015 and from 2021 to June 2022.
Avelo Airlines Is An Economic Boost for the Delaware Valley Region
Avelo estimates it will eventually serve “hundreds of thousands” of customers out of ILG. Those figures are music to the ears of state officials.
“We’ve made significant infrastructure investments across our state, and we’re pleased to have Avelo join us here in Delaware,” says Delaware Governor John Carney. “Avelo will provide Delawareans and visitors a convenient way to travel. Thank you to Avelo for choosing Delaware.”
To support the new base, Avelo Airlines will base one of its Boeing 737-700s at ILG. The carrier expects to initially create at least 35 new jobs, including crewmembers, airport support, and maintenance.
Local officials are thrilled about the opportunity Avelo brings to the area.
“Wilmington Airport has tremendous potential to be an economic driver in our County,” says New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We welcome Avelo to our community to provide reliable and fast service to our residents and look forward to further growth opportunities.”
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The carrier has signed an initial five-year agreement with the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), the operator of Wilmington Airport.
Founder and CEO Andrew Levy says Avelo’s entry into ILG is something the region deserves.
“The Delaware Valley region wants and deserves more affordable, convenient, and reliable air travel,” says Levy. Avelo was founded with a simple purpose – to Inspire Travel. Our very low fares and nonstop flights to five sun-soaked Florida destinations coupled with the fast and seamless experience at Wilmington Airport will make traveling easier than ever. We look forward to welcoming everyone aboard Avelo’s first ILG flight in February.”
Avelo Airlines Continues Aggressive Expansion
On the heels of a summer of growth for Avelo Airlines, its entry into ILG adds to a long list of new destinations for the carrier. Avelo has – or will – begin flying to Lansing (LAN) and Kalamazoo (AZO), Michigan, Newport News, Virginia (PHF), Lexington, Kentucky (LEX), Binghamton, New York (BGM), and Palm Springs, California (PSP).
Avelo operates 11 Boeing 737 NG aircraft. The carrier operates six 737-700s featuring 147 seats in an all-economy configuration for its East Coast operations. For West Coast operations, it uses five 189-seat 737-800s. Avelo expects to have 14 Boeing 737s by the end of this year. By the end of March 2023, it expects to have 16.
Since the airline launched on 28 April 2021, Avelo has completed more than 10,000 flights and carried over 1.2 million customers. ILG will be Avelo’s 32nd destination.
