Avelo Airlines Celebrates Two Years Serving Tweed New Haven Airport

Nov. 3—NEW HAVEN — Avelo Airlines and Tweed New Haven Regional Airport on Friday marked Avelo's second anniversary serving Tweed, a period during which the airline has flown more than 1.5 million travelers on more than 12,000 flights.

Avelo's first flight from Tweed was Nov. 3, 2021, to Orlando, Fla. It employs about 200 people in New Haven, and currently serves 17 designations in seven states, all nonstop, from Tweed.

That will grow to 18 on Nov. 15, when Avelo begins flights between Tweed and San Juan, Puerto Rico, its first destination outside of the continental U.S.

"On this day two years ago, we endeavored to make air travel faster, easier and more affordable for Connecticut travelers," said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy in a release.

"In 24 months, we've delivered on that commitment for more than 1.5 million customers at Tweed, and along the way, we've done it with industry-leading reliability and a caring Soul of Service," Levy said. "I want to take this occasion to thank our customers, as well as the communities and leaders from across the state who have welcomed and supported us along the way.

"Of course, this milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and One Crew teamwork of our 200 HVN-based Avelo crew members and our strong partnership with Tweed and Avports."

Avports operates Tweed through its The New HVN subsidiary.

"Congratulations to Avelo Airlines on their second anniversary at HVN,' said Tom Rafter, executive director of the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority. "Avelo's commitment to superior service and reliability has made them an invaluable partner and a key part of our airport's success."

Gov. Ned Lamont said in the release, "Easier and reliable travel from Tweed helps expand access to the New Haven region, not only for casual travelers but also for businesses that are relying on this service as a means of enhancing their growth, which leads to a stronger economy and more jobs in the region."

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said that "since the inaugural Avelo flight two years ago today, Tweed's growth has solidified the airport's standing as an important, long-term transportation asset for the New Haven community.

"It's provided good-paying jobs and more convenient travel opportunities for our residents and businesses," Elicker said.

While Avelo has been well-received by travelers, its growth and Tweed's increasing activity have stirred-up opposition among some of the airport's neighbors in both New Haven's Morris Cove and Annex sections and neighboring East Haven, who oppose a $70 million airport expansion proposal that would build a new terminal and airport entrance on the East Haven side of the airport.

In addition to serving Tweed and hiring area residents, Avelo has supported more than 200 local and state community organizations and events, including Special Olympics Connecticut, the East Haven Public Schools, the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race, the New Haven Boys and Girls Club and the Boy Scouts of America's Connecticut Yankee Council, Avelo said in the release. It also has worked with Yale University, University of Connecticut, University of New Haven, Quinnipiac University and Albertus Magnus College.

Nationwide, since it began flying on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 3 million travelers on over 25,000 flights, all nonstop. Avelo serves a total of 4 destinations in 23 states and Puerto Rico, focusing primarily on underserved communities across the country.

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