Avelo Airlines slashes routes, shuts bases and cuts fleet in major overhaul

Avelo Airlines has announced major changes to its operations, including the closure of three bases and adjustments to its fleet. The airline will also end a newly launched international route earlier than expected. Customers affected by these updates will receive notifications shortly. The airline will shut down its bases in Mesa, Arizona (AZA), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM). Despite this, Avelo will not completely withdraw from these airports, though many routes will be reduced. The RDU base opened in 2023, while Wilmington began operations in early 2025.

The airline’s international route between Wilmington and Punta Cana will now end later this month instead of April, as originally planned. This comes after Avelo faced criticism for using its Mesa hub to operate deportation flights with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As part of the restructuring, Avelo will remove six Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 aircraft from its fleet. However, it will retain its Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 planes. The company will now concentrate on four key hubs: New Haven (HVN), Philadelphia/Delaware Valley (ILG), Charlotte/Concord (USA), and Central Florida/Lakeland (LAL).

Looking ahead, Avelo plans to open a new base in Dallas/McKinney, Texas (TKI) by late 2026. Affected customers will be contacted via email and text about the upcoming schedule changes. The adjustments mean fewer routes from some airports, though Avelo will maintain a presence in certain locations. The airline’s focus on four main hubs and future expansion into Texas signals a shift in its network strategy. Customers with bookings on impacted flights will receive direct updates in the coming days.