One of two low-cost airlines vying for a growing share of Connecticut’s air travel business will add five nonstop destinations in the new year, split between Tweed New Haven Airport and Bradley International Airport.

Beginning in February and staggered through the spring, Avelo Airlines will offer twice-weekly flights to Jacksonville, Florida, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Detroit, MI and Portland, Maine. Service to Detroit and Portland will be seasonal.

From Bradley, Avelo will offer a seasonal, twice-weekly service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, beginning in February. The expansion brings the number of international routes offered by Avelo at Connecticut’s largest international airport to three, connecting Cancun, Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The expansion announced Monday will bring the number of nonstop destinations marketed by Avelo to 34 since the airline first served Connecticut at Tweed New Haven three years ago. Earlier this year, Avelo announced it would begin service from Bradley.

While both Tweed New Haven and Bradley offer some of the same nonstop domestic destinations, international travel is only permitted in Bradley.

Flight to Jacksonville begins February 14; Dallas-Fort Worth, March 7; Detroit, April 4 and Portland, May 22.

Avelo’s flights to the Dominican Republic are expected to take off on Feb. 21, but approval from that country’s government is still pending, Avelo said.

Avelo and low-cost rival Breeze Airways are expanding rapidly in Connecticut, now serving Tweed New Haven and Bradley, respectively. Breeze will launch its first flights from Tweed New Haven on Tuesday.

Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said nearly three million customers in Connecticut have flown with Avelo since the company launched its service in the state.

“Avelo’s goal is to inspire travel, and we are very optimistic about the opportunities ahead of us to make travel easier, more affordable and more reliable for people across Connecticut,” Levy said in a press release.

“Inspire Travel” is part of the airline’s marketing campaign.

Monday’s announcement came with a great deal of $39 one-way between Tweed New Haven and the Portland International Jetport in Maine. For travel between May 29th and June 8th, fares must be booked by December 16th. The fare includes government taxes and fees, but the number of flights and seats is limited.

Additional fees apply for carry-on and checked baggage, assigned seating and other services. There is also a $25 fee per seated traveler or for booking changes through Avelo’s customer service center.

While the other destinations announced Monday are not eligible for the $39 promotion, an Avelo spokesperson said Avelo’s fares are among the lowest offered by any airline.

New Haven is now Avelo’s largest workforce base, employing nearly 300 people, supporting nine aircraft and flying to 31 nonstop destinations. Since the service began at Tweed in November 2021, 20,000 flights have been operated.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at [email protected].

Originally published: December 9, 2024 at 12:16 pm EST