Airport Action Accelerates in Connecticut

Air travel has been picking up in recent months from the depths of COVID-driven reductions in passengers.  And if the trajectory continues, Connecticut’s airports are pushing hard to ride the wave, including a West Coast airline’s first beachhead in the East. 

Led by Bradley International Airport’s additions of service and Tweed New Haven progress on expansion and additional destinations, more people will be able to get to more places - if COVID doesn’t interfere.

Most recently, federal aviation officials have approved the blueprint for a major expansion at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, clearing another hurdle in the process of gaining approval to move forward with an estimated $70 million project, which was announced in May.  An FAA administrator has signed off on key components of Tweed’s new master plan, which calls for the airport to grow by lengthening an existing runway to 6,635 feet and construction of a new terminal on the East Haven side of the property.

And Avelo Airlines has announced it will launch service this fall from Tweed-New Haven to four popular Florida destinations from what the carrier describes as “Connecticut’s most convenient and relaxing airport.”   

Starting November 3, Avelo will operate nonstop flights from its first East Coast base at Tweed New Haven (HVN) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). One-way introductory fares starting at $59, according to the airline, can be booked at AveloAir.com.

“We’re excited to bring more choice, everyday low fares and the Avelo Soul of Service to Connecticut,” said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “Connecticut residents told us they want more convenient and affordable options for flying to Florida and we listened. These four popular sun-soaked destinations are an ideal winter retreat. The refreshingly simple and smooth HVN small-airport experience will ensure our customers depart relaxed and ready for some fun in the sun.”

Avelo will be the first airline to offer nonstop flights between Tweed New Haven and Florida. Avelo’s arrival to HVN also marks the largest expansion of service at HVN in more than 30 years. Avelo became America’s first new scheduled airline in nearly 15 years when it initiated service from its first base at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) on April 28, 2021. The airline currently serves nine popular destinations across the Western U.S.

“Today’s announcement from Avelo Airlines is another clear step towards transforming Tweed-New Haven into a more vibrant and sustainable airport, one that can help grow jobs and serve as an economic driver for our region,” said Sean Scanlon, Executive Director of Tweed-New Haven Airport. “For years the people of southern Connecticut have been asking for more options when it comes to flights, and – starting this November – that will be a reality. While today is very exciting, it is truly just the beginning, and we look forward to a continued and growing partnership with Avelo here at HVN.”

Speaking of sunshine, the discount air carrier Sun Country Airlines has begun twice-a-week service between Bradley International Airport and Florida’s Orlando International Airport. Back in May the airline launched new, twice weekly nonstop service to Minneapolis from Bradley, and in June, year round, daily service on JetBlue was added between Bradley and Miami International Airport.

“We are thrilled to offer new service on Sun Country Airlines giving our passengers even more options to travel conveniently and affordably,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, said this spring. “While Sun Country Airlines is already familiar to Bradley International Airport due to their existing cargo and charter operations, we are excited that they are expanding their footprint at the airport with the introduction of passenger service to Minneapolis. We look forward to this strengthened partnership and future route launches with Sun Country Airlines.”

This month, Sun Country Airlines added nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to Orlando. Sun Country Airlines is a privately held company based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and has been flying since 1983. The BDL-Orlando flights will operate twice weekly (Thursday and Sunday), seasonally.

The Miami route on JetBlue complements JetBlue’s existing nonstop flights to other Florida destinations, including Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach. The airline also offers nonstop flights from Bradley International Airport to Cancun, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Also this spring, Bradley International Airport launched new, nonstop service to Charleston with Breeze Airways, one of the first airports in the U.S. to commence service with the newly founded low-cost carrier.