Delaware occupies an unusual place in the world of United States aviation.
With around 71,000 residents, the largest city in the sales tax-free state, Wilmington, is virtually a suburb of Philadelphia; not to mention, Wilmington is a relatively short drive from New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
In other words, there’s a significant population nearby, but they all have their own metro area airports to use. Which also means that Delawareans generally have to haul to Philly, Amtrak it, or drive to other much larger cities to get out of town.
Consequently, commercial flights come and go to the country’s first state. The most recent casualty was Frontier, with its last flight departing Wilmington’s New Castle Airport (ILG) on 6 June 2022.
But there’s good news for Delaware folks and aviation buffs alike. Starting this February, Avelo Airlines is reviving passenger service at New Castle Airport, inaugurating its first Mid-Atlantic base.
Avelo Airlines, another newcomer in the crowded sphere of U.S. aviation, only had its first flight on 28 April 2021. Even though I haven’t flown them yet, what most amuses me about the carrier is that they have a hub at Connecticut’s New Haven Airport (HVN); to tell you the truth, if I could get a connecting flight there, I’d go just for the pizza on Wooster St.
But no, New England isn’t quite the focus for Avelo Airlines as much as sunny destinations are– you know, for snowbirds.
That’s why all of the new flights from Wilmington Airport are Florida-bound.
All flown with Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737s, initial destinations will be:
- Orlando (MCO), special inaugural flight is Wednesday 1 February
Regular schedule from 3 February — Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays - Fort Lauderdale (FLL), from 2 February — Thursdays and Sundays
- Tampa (TPA), from 2 February — Thursdays and Sundays
- Fort Myers (RSW), from 3 February — Mondays and Fridays
- West Palm Beach (PBI), from 4 February — Wednesdays and Saturdays
Adding Wilmington’s New Castle Airport brings to 32 the total number of airports Avelo Airlines serves.
n.b. like I mentioned last year in the Delaware Frontier post, I’m still waiting for a Buffalo or Burlington to Wilmington route, for Canadians to avail of the tax-free shopping.
How many states have you checked off of the flown-to list?
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