Avelo: Consolidating and Adding Flights?

Generated Title: Avelo's "Consolidation" is Just Code for "We Screwed Up"

So, Avelo Airlines is "consolidating" their network, huh? Let's be real, that's PR-speak for "we expanded too fast and now we're backpedaling so hard we might break an ankle." According to a recent report, Avelo Airlines To Consolidate Network Ahead Of E2 Deliveries, this consolidation is happening ahead of E2 deliveries.

The E2 Mirage

They're pinning all their hopes on the Embraer E195-E2s arriving in 2027. Fifty of 'em, no less. Suddenly, then they'll be able to "expand nationally again" and "serve the West Coast in a more efficient way." Right. It's always "just around the corner" with these airlines. Like that mythical "paperless office" we were promised back in the '90s.

Mike Corcoran, Avelo’s director of network planning, says their "number one inhibitor to growth right now is just the fact that a lot of people don’t know that we actually exist." Okay, fair point. But maybe, just maybe, people do know about you, Avelo, and they're choosing not to fly with you. Ever think of that?

Corcoran envisions flying the 737s to “big Florida markets.” Because that makes sense.

And get this: they haven't even settled on a configuration for the E195-E2s yet. They're "targeting around 140 seats" and are "open to the idea of a dual-class configuration." Three years out, and they're still spitballing? This ain't a tech startup brainstorming in a garage; this is an airline. Get your act together.

East Coast Blues

So, until these magical E2s show up, Avelo's gonna focus on the East Coast. "Consolidating into our core bases, which are secondary [East Coast] airports," as Corcoran puts it. Translation: They're gonna double down on the places where they're already struggling to gain traction. Brilliant.

They're adding new flights out of Lakeland, Florida – Detroit and Atlanta, for the record. One-way fares starting at $34. But let's be honest, by the time you add in baggage fees, seat assignments, and the "oxygen surcharge" (I'm kidding… mostly), you're probably looking at closer to $200. Still cheap, but you get what you pay for offcourse.

And remember that whole debacle with Avelo doing ICE deportation flights? Protests erupted, people were pissed. CEO Andrew Levy's response? Basically, "We need the money to keep the lights on." Real classy.

Concord Confusion

Then there's the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport saga. Adding flights to Chicago and bringing back the Nashville route seven months after dumping it due to "low ticket sales." What changed in seven months? Did Nashville suddenly become a must-see destination? Or did someone at Avelo just realize they screwed up?

“Initially, we did not have the demand and enough aircraft availability to let the route improve over time,” spokeswoman Courtney Goff stated. Right, so you're admitting you launched a route without actually having the resources to support it. That's confidence-inspiring.

But hey, at least NASCAR race teams use the airport. That's gotta count for something, right?

This Ain't Gonna Fly