Avelo Airlines opened its third U.S. base at Orlando International Airport (MCO) — a move they say is setting the stage for significant travel, employment and economic impact opportunities for Central Florida.
The new base is expected to generate more than $250 million in short-term economic impact in Greater Orlando and top $1 billion in regional economic impact annually within the next five years. In the years ahead, this includes significant spending and tax revenue from the more than one million visitors Avelo will fly to Orlando annually. Additionally, Avelo’s fast-growing Orlando presence will generate incremental spending and tax revenue from the thousands of direct and indirect jobs the airline’s expanding MCO presence will contribute to the Orlando community and the state of Florida.
Over the next year, Avelo expects to create up to 150 MCO-based jobs. These positions will be a combination of Avelo Crewmembers and jobs with Avelo business partners operating at MCO. Roles will include Airport Customer Service, Aircraft Technical Operations and Maintenance, Pilots, Flight Attendants and Supervisors. As the airline adds additional aircraft and routes over the next five years, Avelo expects to create up to 500 MCO-based jobs.
“Our new base will enable Avelo to serve more destinations, add more flights, operate more airplanes, fly more Customers and employ more Crewmembers in Orlando,” said Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “Avelo’s rapidly expanding presence here will be a significant source of new visitors to Orlando — creating significant economic impact across the region. We are grateful to the City of Orlando, as well as Kevin Thibault and the Greater Orlando Airport Authority for their strong partnership as we double down on MCO and Central Florida.”
Avelo will initially base three Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 jetliners at MCO – one 147-seat 737-700 and two 189-seat 737-800s. Avelo’s current systemwide fleet consists of 10 737 NGs and is expected to expand to 15 aircraft by early 2023. Over the next 12 months, Avelo plans to fly to 15 nonstop destinations from MCO. By 2027, Avelo expects to base 10 aircraft at MCO serving up to 50 nonstop destinations.
“Orlando International Airport prides itself on offering the traveling public options in both airlines and destinations,” said Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chief Executive Officer Kevin Thibault. “What we’re getting with Avelo is even more than a new connection between Central Florida and Baltimore. It is an additional access point for business to the popular northeast corridor from our region.”
Avelo also said it is on track for converging its airline-wide Pilot and Flight Attendant training in Orlando. Initial and recurrent training for all Avelo Pilots and Flight Attendants will be facilitated by Avenger Flight Group (AFG) — the world’s largest privately owned commercial aviation training and simulation company. Training will begin this fall with the completion of the new Orlando training facility next spring.
Previously conducted in separate locations and, at times, by separate companies, Avelo’s Pilot and Flight Attendant training will now be conducted at AFG’s new state-of-the-art Orlando campus. AFG provides advanced flight training solutions to airlines around the world at nearly 20 flight training centers across North America, South America and Europe. The new AFG-based training will provide opportunities for collaborative learning and training in areas such as leadership, evacuation simulations and customer service.
Avelo employs nearly 200 Pilots and Flight Attendants. The airline anticipates hiring hundreds more in the years ahead — many of whom will be based in Orlando.
With the opening of its MCO base, Avelo will be serving three popular nonstop destinations from Orlando.
- Southern Connecticut: Avelo has operated daily service between MCO and Southern Connecticut’s most convenient airport – Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). With the opening of its Orlando base, Avelo now flies to HVN up to three times per day.
- Washington, D.C.: Avelo will offer seasonal service five days per week to Baltimore / Washington International Airport (BWI) through August 21, 2022.
- Wilmington, North Carolina: Avelo will offer seasonal service three days per week to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) through November 9, 2022.
In addition to Orlando, Avelo operates bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and HVN. The airline has dedicated airplanes, Pilots, Flight Attendants and maintenance teams based at BUR, HVN and MCO.
