Avelo Airlines is betting big on Florida. New routes, expanded service from Lakeland, and even a second aircraft stationed there by early 2026. But is this expansion built on solid ground, or is it a high-altitude gamble facing some serious turbulence? The airline is expanding its Central Florida base at Lakeland International Airport (LAL), adding a second aircraft in February 2026.
Avelo announced new flights between Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) with twice-weekly service starting Wednesdays and Saturdays Feb. 11, 2026. Avelo to add new flights in Florida starting at $34. Where to and when
Let's look at the numbers. Avelo serves 11 Florida airports. That's a significant chunk of their total network of 41 cities. They're clearly banking on the Florida market, but are they overexposed?
Avelo is adding and subtracting routes simultaneously. In October, they announced they were dropping three routes, including two in Florida, due to lack of demand. AirlineGeeks.com reported that Avelo's flights between Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers will be ending Jan. 7.
This isn't necessarily a red flag. Airlines constantly tweak their routes based on demand. But the speed at which Avelo is making these changes (adding a third weekly flight between Grand Rapids, Michigan's Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and Rochester, New York's Frederick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) to Lakeland) suggests a degree of instability (or, charitably, extreme agility) in their planning. Are they truly responding to market signals, or are they simply throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks?
Here's where things get really interesting. While Avelo is expanding its commercial operations in Florida, they're also facing a significant PR challenge: their partnership with ICE for immigrant deportation flights. Protests erupted at airports in 26 cities — including Daytona Beach, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale and Lakeland. Protesters call on UD to cut ties with Avelo Airlines over deportation flights
CEO Andrew Levy defended the decision by saying that the charter flying will provide them with the stability to continue expanding their core scheduled passenger service and keep their more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come.
Now, let's be clear: I'm not here to pass judgment on the morality of this decision. I'm here to analyze the potential impact on Avelo's bottom line. And the data suggests this could be a major problem.
While it's difficult to quantify the exact financial impact of negative publicity, anecdotal evidence from social media and online forums suggests a significant level of customer backlash. How many potential customers are choosing to fly with competitors because they object to Avelo's involvement with ICE? It's impossible to say for sure, but the volume of negative sentiment is hard to ignore.
And this is the part I find genuinely puzzling. Avelo is a budget airline. Their target demographic is price-sensitive travelers. These travelers are often younger and more socially conscious. Is it really worth alienating a significant portion of your customer base for the sake of a charter contract? The numbers don't seem to add up.
Avelo seems to be trying to have it both ways: courting budget travelers with cheap fares while simultaneously partnering with a controversial government agency. It's a risky strategy, and the data suggests it could backfire spectacularly.
The expansion in Florida could be a smart move, capitalizing on the state's booming tourism industry. But the deportation flight controversy is a dark cloud hanging over the airline. Can Avelo successfully navigate these conflicting forces?
Avelo began service in Concord in May 2024, with its first flight going to New Haven, Connecticut. The company described it as a “fast, easy, and stress-free alternative to the long lines, congestion, and frequent flight delays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.”
Avelo's Florida gamble is a high-stakes game. They're betting that low fares and convenient routes will outweigh the negative publicity surrounding their ICE contract. But the data suggests this is a dangerous assumption. Unless they can find a way to mitigate the PR damage, Avelo's expansion in Florida could be a flight to nowhere.
