Avelo continues growing with new West Coast flights

April 30, 2023
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Avelo's rapid expansion continues.

The ultra-low-cost startup plans to fly from Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) in Oregon to Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) in California. It will also resume an older route from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana to Burbank Hollywood International Airport (BUR) in California.

Avelo's flight from RDM to STS will be the first from central Oregon to California's wine country. The carrier already flies to Burbank and Palm Springs, California, from Redmond.

The BZN-BUR route initially launched in 2021, but was swiftly axed due to a national rental car shortage which made it difficult for passengers to reach and depart from the airports, according to an Avelo spokesperson.

However, the carrier is confident about the route's success since it's seen strong bookings out of Montana's Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) since announcing routes there in March, the spokesperson added.

"We think it’s different this time and the strong bookings we’re seeing out of the gate in FCA that we announced recently is a good indicator Montana is back in business," the spokesperson said.

Related: Avelo expands again, adds flights to Montana's Big Sky Country

Service from RDM to Sonoma County begins June 23, and service from Bozeman to Burbank will start June 28. In March, the carrier said it was adding flights between Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Montana and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).

Avelo flight at Bozeman Airport in 2021. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Avelo CEO Andrew Levy expressed enthusiasm over the company's new route from Redmond to California's wine country.

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"Now flying to California Wine Country is easier than ever — whether for vacation, a weekend getaway, or reconnecting with family and friends," Levy said in a statement.

RELATED: Avelo adds 3 new cities to its route map but cuts 2 others

Avelo's business model relies on nonstop flights to popular leisure destinations. In particular, the carrier focuses on little-used airports in densely populated areas. Since launching in 2021, Avelo has created bases in Burbank; New Haven, Connecticut; Orlando; and Wilmington, Delaware.

The new routes come after Avelo announced last week that it would add nine new routes from its Wilmington base — the carrier's single biggest expansion since its launch.

One-way fares for flights between Redmond and Sonoma County start at $34. One-way fares between Burbank and Bozeman start at $49.

TPG reviewed the Bozeman to Burbank route in 2021. You can read that review here.

Avelo jet at Burbank Airport in 2021. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

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Source: The Points Guy