WILMINGTON — A new flight route will connect two East Coast towns with the same name.
Avelo Airlines announced Thursday its expanding service from Wilmington International Airport to Delaware’s Wilmington Airport. The low-cost carrier will offer nonstop flights beginning June 22, twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
It will be the first and only airline flying from Wilmington to Wilmington.
“This new route to the Wilmington/Philadelphia area exemplifies our ongoing commitment to bringing Avelo’s low fares, industry-leading reliability and caring service to coastal North Carolina travelers,” Avelo chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said in a press release. “Getting to the four-state Delaware Valley region is now easier than ever.”
The Delaware location is a convenient alternative for travelers looking to visit Philadelphia, without traveling into Philadelphia International Airport. Delaware Wilmington Airport is adjacent to multiple major highways and encompasses portions of four states: Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, South New Jersey and northern eastern Maryland.
Introductory one-way fares on a 189-seat Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft to Delaware will start at $29.
“We’re excited for more nonstops and more choices for travelers,” ILM Airport Director Jeff Bourk said in the release. “Avelo’s service at ILM will result in a nearly 25% growth in enplanements in the coming year.”
Also expanding beginning June 22, Avelo’s service to Tweed New Haven Airport four times weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, doubling the original frequency. New Hanover County Airport Authority Chair Spruill Thompson said Avelo’s seven nonstop flights are estimated to have an economic impact of $625 million.
“As our community continues to grow, so does the list of destinations people can reach from the Wilmington International Airport,” NHC commissioner chair Bill Rivenbark said in the release. “This and other Avelo nonstop flights are making it easier for our residents to reach the world from their own backyard, while also creating more opportunities for visitors to access our community.”
With this new route, Avelo will now serve seven nonstop destinations from ILM:
- Fort Lauderdale, FL via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Orlando, FL via Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Southern Connecticut via Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN)
- Tampa, FL via Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Washington, D.C. / Baltimore via Baltimore / Washington International Airport (BWI)
- West Palm Beach, FL via Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Wilmington, DE / Philadelphia, PA via Delaware’s Wilmington Airport (ILG)
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