Avelo Airlines Expands Its Horizons with First International Route
US budget carrier Avelo Airlines has marked a significant milestone in its operational history by launching its first international flight, connecting Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, with Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This strategic move not only expands Avelo’s route map but also caters to the growing travel demands between the United States and the Caribbean.
The inaugural flight, designated as XP902, took off on November 16, 2024, employing one of Avelo’s Boeing 737-800s, tail number N808VL. Covering a distance of 1,644 miles (2,630km), the flight successfully landed in Montego Bay after three hours and 23 minutes, greeted by a celebratory water cannon salute—a tradition for inaugural flights.
Highlighting the cultural synergy between the two destinations, the arrival ceremonies at Montego Bay featured vibrant Jamaican cultural performances, emphasizing the island’s rich heritage. The event saw participation from prominent figures including Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the US, alongside key stakeholders in tourism and aviation from both Jamaica and the US.
Avelo’s new service operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, aimed predominantly at the winter travel season of 2024/25. This schedule aligns with the airline’s goal to make travel more accessible and convenient for the Jamaican diaspora in Connecticut and the broader New England area, who maintain strong cultural and familial connections to Jamaica.
Giselle Cortes, Head of Airports at Avelo Airlines, expressed pride in this historic achievement for the airline. She drew a parallel between Avelo’s motto of ‘one crew’ and Jamaica’s philosophy of ‘one love’, emphasizing the unity and shared goals achieved through this new service.
Donovan White, Director of Tourism for Jamaica, noted that the new route strengthens ties with the Jamaican diaspora and opens up new avenues for leisure travelers from New England to explore Jamaica’s hospitality, culture, and attractions.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, also commented on the route’s importance, suggesting it will boost visitor numbers from the US, create new employment opportunities, and enhance economic activities in the region.
This expansion comes as part of Avelo’s largest growth phase since its inception in April 2021. In addition to the Montego Bay route, Avelo announced the launch of six other new routes from Bradley International Airport during the winter season of 2024/25, including a service to Cancun, Mexico, set to commence on November 20, 2024.
With a diverse fleet that includes both Boeing 737-800s and 737-700s, Avelo now operates 76 routes across 47 destinations in the US, Jamaica, and soon, Mexico. The airline maintains multiple bases across the United States, facilitating a broad network of domestic and international flights.