Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines christened its one-year anniversary in the Wilmington market by launching three new nonstop flights out of Wilmington International Airport. 

The three flights land in locations not previously available at ILM on a nonstop basis: West Palm Beach and Tampa, Florida, and the Philadelphia region (landing at the other Wilmington, in Delaware). 

Avelo began its journey at ILM last year with routes to New Haven, Connecticut; Orlando, Florida; and a seasonal route to Baltimore, Maryland. At the time, Avelo was ILM's first low-cost carrier.

Last month, the airport's second low-cost carrier, Sun Country Airlines, landed its inaugural seasonal flight out of ILM to Minneapolis, Minnesota. ILM also has service available through its three legacy carriers, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines. 

One month after its debut last summer, Avelo announced a seasonal route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that began as flights to Baltimore ended in the fall. In March and April, the airline announced the routes that took off Thursday morning. 

This brings Avelo’s total nonstop route count out of ILM to seven. 

Service to Palm Beach International Airport and Wilmington Airport in Delaware is available on Thursdays and Sundays; Tampa International Airport routes will run on Mondays and Fridays.

Each route will use the Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. One-way introductory fares start at $39 and $49 for travel that takes place before Oct. 31 and is booked by July 4. 

“Air service at ILM continues to expand with more nonstop flights to top destinations,” ILM airport director Jeff Bourk said in a release. 

Avelo began operations in 2021 and has grown to serve 44 destinations. All flights Avelo offers are nonstop. In April, Avelo officials said rapidly expanded service out of ILM made it the airline’s largest non-base operator. The airline has five bases located in Los Angeles, California; New Haven, Connecticut; Orlando, Florida; Wilmington, Delaware; and Raleigh, North Carolina. 

“Anytime you can welcome one new destination to your airport’s offerings, it’s significant; and today we’re celebrating three new locations, which is incredible,” New Hanover County Board of Commissioners vice-chair LeAnn Pierce said in the release. “I’m so proud of the continued growth we are seeing at ILM and looking forward to more options for travelers in the future.”