The Ishrion site (see below) reported that the Houston-based airline will announce its biggest expansion ever and make Lakeland one of its jet bases. The airline has not hinted at the destinations to be announced.
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.
Avelo Airlines is set to announce its “largest route expansion” in its history tomorrow.
— Ishrion Aviation (@IshrionA) July 23, 2024
This comes from Lakeland Airport (LAL) which likely means:
1. Avelo is adding at least 10 new routes from LAL
2. Avelo opens a base in LAL
Any guesses on what Avelo will add from LAL? pic.twitter.com/3DnBiOK7mQ
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 Arline route site Enilria last week reported the upcoming service announcement and said Wilmington ILG was a possible 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.