Next week, the Lakeland FL airport will be the site of an announcement of expanded service from Avelo Airlines.
Earlier, Wilmington Airport (ILG) had been expected to become a destination from the Florida airport when Avelo announced it would launch service to and from the fast-growing area between Orlando and Tampa.
Lakeland, while home to a busy airport, had not seen scheduled airline service in recent years.
It turned out that the small airline unexpectedly limited its schedule to New Haven, CT.
The airline route site Enilria on Wednesday reported the upcoming service announcement and said Wilmington ILG was a likely destination.
Orlando appears to be one of Avelo’s more popular routes with three and sometimes four flights a week out of ILG. Avelo also has twice-weekly service to Tampa.
Lakeland would give Philadelphia area travelers an option other than Orlando, one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Lakeland is also a fairly easy drive (if there is such a thing in Orlando) to Walt Disney World attractions.
Airlines, including Avelo, have been trimming their schedules to Orlando, due to stiff competition that has driven down fares.
The home of Disney and Universal is the most popular destination from Philadelphia International Airport.
However, Avelo appears to have gained a piece of that business at an airport with shorter walks, cheaper parking, and fewer lines.
Avelo signed a long-term lease at Lakeland, amid speculation that it might make the airport one of its focus hubs.