Avelo Airlines is expanding its Midwest footprint this summer, announcing new non-stop routes from both Indianapolis International Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to the same pair of destinations. Starting in June, travelers in both cities will have direct flight options to New Haven, Connecticut, and Concord, North Carolina, two markets that provide convenient access to the New York City and Charlotte metropolitan areas respectively.
The ultra-low-cost carrier, which operates similarly to Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant Airlines in its pricing and route strategy, focuses on smaller and less congested airports that offer lower operating costs and a more streamlined travel experience for passengers. Fares for the new routes start at $39, according to Avelo’s website.
Indianapolis launches service on June 18
At Indianapolis International Airport, Avelo’s new routes will begin on June 18, with twice-weekly service operating year-round to both New Haven and Concord. Airport officials described the additions as a meaningful expansion of non-stop options for regional travelers. With these new destinations included, Indianapolis travelers will now have access to non-stop service at 57 locations total from the airport, adding measurable convenience for those seeking to avoid connections on routes to the northeast and the greater Charlotte area.
Avelo operates its flights using Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft, a reliable workhorse in the low-cost carrier space that balances capacity with the kind of operational efficiency that allows the airline to maintain its competitive fare structure.
Cleveland launches service on June 19
At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Avelo’s service to New Haven and Concord will begin one day later on June 19, also operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. The announcement was made through an official press release from the airport on Wednesday.
Scott Carr, assistant director of commercial business and revenue at Cleveland Hopkins, said the new routes expand affordable travel options for Northeast Ohio residents while strengthening the airport’s connectivity to a growing list of non stop destinations. With Avelo now in the mix, Cleveland Hopkins is served by 11 airlines in total.
The timing of Avelo’s entry into Cleveland is notable given that Spirit Airlines recently announced it will be ending service at Hopkins on April 15, 2026, after more than 10 years of operating at the airport. While Avelo’s routes do not directly replace Spirit’s departures, the addition of a new ultra-low-cost carrier helps maintain affordable fare competition at a hub that was facing the loss of one of its budget options.
What Avelo’s expansion means for Midwest travelers
Avelo’s simultaneous expansion into two Midwest markets reflects a broader strategy of targeting mid-size airports where the airline can fill gaps in non-stop service without competing directly against the largest carriers on their most heavily trafficked routes. New Haven’s Tweed Airport and Concord Padgett Regional Airport are both smaller alternatives to their nearest major hub airports, offering travelers in those regions a less congested arrival and departure experience.
For passengers in Indianapolis and Cleveland, the practical benefit is direct access to two growing destination markets at entry level price points. New Haven provides a lower-traffic gateway to the New York metro area, while Concord offers a similarly convenient alternative to Charlotte Douglas International Airport for travelers heading to the greater Charlotte region.
Avelo launched its first flights in April 2021 and has steadily grown its network since, with a particular focus on routes that larger carriers have historically underserved. The June launches in Indianapolis and Cleveland continue that trajectory into two of the Midwest’s most active regional aviation markets.
