Avelo Airlines is adding two more Florida destinations to its lineup at McKinney National Airport, announcing nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton and West Palm Beach set to begin in mid-December. The new routes will grow the airline's Collin County network to 11 destinations, with introductory one-way fares starting at $69.
Avelo announced the additions Thursday, according to a news release from the airline. Service to Sarasota-Bradenton begins Dec. 16, while flights to West Palm Beach start the following day, Dec. 17. Both routes will run twice weekly, with Sarasota-Bradenton flights scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays, according to Community Impact. The Dallas Morning News also reported on the expansion.
A Growing Footprint Ahead of Launch
The new Florida routes are part of a broader buildout at McKinney National Airport, where Avelo is opening its base on Nov. 11 with three Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, per the airline's release. The airport's passenger terminal is scheduled to open that same day, according to the City of McKinney. Avelo is based in Houston, the city notes.
Beyond the two new Florida cities, Avelo is also set to begin flying from McKinney to Atlanta and Denver on Dec. 16, with Nashville and New Orleans service starting Dec. 17, according to the city's newsflash page. The Atlanta and Denver routes will run four times weekly, while Nashville and New Orleans will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, per the same city source.
Conflicting Accounts of the First Flights
Exactly which cities get served first out of McKinney depends on which account you read. Avelo's own release describes its inaugural flights as beginning Nov. 11 to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa. The City of McKinney's schedule, however, lists Fort Myers beginning Nov. 11, with Las Vegas and Orlando following Nov. 12, and Tampa and Fort Lauderdale not starting until Nov. 19. Both versions come from otherwise detailed sources, and neither account has been reconciled publicly.
The job-creation numbers tied to Avelo's investment also diverge slightly. Avelo's release states the investment at the airport will create about 150 jobs, while the city's newsflash says Avelo is expected to generate more than 100 jobs at the airport. Before any of this gets off the ground, the Federal Aviation Administration presented McKinney National Airport with a certificate in September that was required for the airport to begin commercial service, Community Impact reported.
Holiday Demand Pushes Las Vegas Flights Higher
Strong demand is also driving a temporary boost to Avelo's Las Vegas service out of McKinney. The airline is adding two more weekly flights between McKinney and Las Vegas on Wednesdays and Saturdays, bringing that route to six flights per week during the peak holiday season, Community Impact reported. AirlineGeeks similarly reported the airline is adding two weekly flights to the route for the season.
Avelo's expansion at McKinney comes as the carrier builds out its presence ahead of the airport's commercial debut, adding four destinations and a third aircraft before the launch, according to FlightGlobal. That outlet reported the airline plans to base three Boeing 737-800 aircraft at the airport.
No Direct Competition on the New Routes, Avelo Says
Avelo says it will be the only airline offering nonstop service between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and McKinney National Airport, according to the Herald-Tribune, which noted the addition will bring Avelo's nonstop destinations from the Sarasota airport to three. The carrier also says it will be the only airline flying nonstop between West Palm Beach and McKinney, per WFLX, which reported that the McKinney addition will give Avelo three nonstop destinations from West Palm Beach's airport.
