Avelo Airlines announces end to West Coast operations

Avelo Airlines announced it is ending its service from Burbank, California.

The move means the carrier is shutting down its entire West Coast operations.

Avelo said it will move planes from Burbank to the East Coast

So how will this affect people flying out of Tweed-New Haven?

Michelle Mingione, from Florida, said the airline has been good to her.

“I love it,” said Mingione. “I’m originally from this area. And so it’s really easy to fly in and out.

Avelo makes up the majority of flights from Tweed.

Courtney Goff, a communications manager with Avelo, said this will have no effect on Connecticut flyers.

“Avelo has previously made several changes over the past few years to our West Coast operations to improve our financial results. Despite the investment of significant time, resources, and efforts, our West Coast operations have not produced the results necessary to continue our presence there,” Goff said in a statement.

The closure to the West Coast operations comes as the budget airline faces backlash after entering an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to fly deportation flights for ICE from Arizona.

A spokesperson for Tweed New Haven Airport said they began their expansion efforts back in 2021 and maintain they are one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

“This growth has outperformed all initial expectations, and our carriers are continuing to invest and grow here at HVN,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Mayor Justin Elicker’s office said they are not aware of any impacts Avelo’s decision will have on New Haven.