Avelo Airlines Will Be the First Commercial Carrier to Fly to This Florida Airport in a Decade

The low-cost airline will start flying to Lakeland Linder International Airport, just east of Tampa, in June.

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Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is bringing back commercial service to a central Florida airport for the first time in more than 10 years.

The airline plans to launch nonstop service between its hub in Connecticut and Lakeland Linder International Airport, which sits just east of Tampa, Avelo shared with Travel + Leisure. The airline said the new route, which will launch on June 13, will mark the first commercial flights to the Florida airport in years.

“The City of Lakeland welcomes an exciting new era of travel… This service from Lakeland opens up a world of increasing possibilities for our regional citizens,” the city’s Mayor Bill Mutz said in a statement shared with T+L. “We anticipate a thriving partnership with Avelo Airlines, providing many adventures ahead!”

The new flights will operate twice each week on a Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Avelo will fly to Lakeland from the Tweed New Haven Airport on Thursdays and Sundays.

To celebrate the new flights, one-way fares start at just $72 for travel through July 31. To take advantage, travelers must book by April 3.

Before the new flights take off however, the airport noted the security screening checkpoint needed to be expanded and parking lot modifications needed to be made.

“We’re proud to be the only airline serving LAL and are excited to introduce Lakeland to Avelo’s low fares, travel-friendly convenience, and industry-leading reliability,” Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said in the statement shared with T+L, adding, “This exclusive nonstop service will also make exploring Central Florida – and all Lakeland has to offer – a fast and seamless journey for Connecticut visitors.”

Avelo first launched in 2021 and has since expanded, including starting flights to Puerto Rico last year. In total, the airline flies to 51 destinations in 23 states and Puerto Rico.

This also isn’t the first time Avelo has brought commercial flights back to an airport. Last year, the airline launched flights from Delaware, finally bringing commercial flights back to the state and ensuring commercial flights reach all 50 states.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.