LANSING — Avelo Airlines will no longer fly out of Lansing.
The Houston, Texas-based company, which describes itself as an ultra-low fare airline, confirmed to the Lansing State Journal Wednesday it is ending flights into and out of Capital Region International Airport.
In 2022, Avelo began offering two flights a week to Orlando from Lansing during the colder weather months, and because of the Orlando route's success, Fort Meyers was added that fall.
At the time, Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the airport, said that Orlando was the No. 1 destination from the Lansing region. Now, according to their updated flight schedule through January 2025, Lansing is no longer included.
Avelo is also ending service with other cities, such as, Redding, California according to the city's website. Five more cities are expected to follow, according to delawareonline.com, a sister publication to the State Journal: Kalamazoo, Michigan; Dubuque, Iowa; Mosinee, Wisconsin; Broome County, New York and Brownsville, Texas.
Lack of profitability was behind the decision, said Jim Olson, head of brand and communications for Avelo.
“Unfortunately, the LAN-MCO route was not profitable, and we do not expect it to be within a reasonable time horizon," Olson said. "Every route Avelo flies must be profitable or be on a trend line towards that goal."
He added that the company believed Lansing would be a profitable venture.
"Before we commit to a new route, we conduct a thorough analysis of any available and relevant data. In most cases, the routes we enter succeed and we continue to operate them. However, with those that do not we must make the difficult decision to exit them," Olson said.
A message was left with Narine Manukova, a spokesperson for the Capital Region International Airport.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor called the news "tremendously disappointing."
"We have a great airport located right in the middle of the state that is easy to get to, easy to use, and convenient for so many. It’s unfortunate that Avelo was not able to make it here or in the several other cities where they cut service," Schor said.
"Lansing continues to offer so many other daily flights and I have faith in our airport leadership that they will do everything to search for carriers to offer direct flights and provide the best options for the capital area.”
Last month, Apple Vacations said it is returning to the Capital Region International Airport with flights starting in January next year to several tropical locations. Apple has offered flights at the airport since 2010.
The cold-weather-fleeing flights start Jan. 25 and will run through April 9, according to a statement from the airport. The planned routes include nonstop flights from Lansing to Cancun, Mexico; Lansing to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic; and Lansing to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The airport also has regular service from Delta and American Airlines.
And in March, Breeze Airlines said it would start offering service to Orlando and Fort Myers, Florida, in October of this year. The relatively new airline, started about two and a half years ago and based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is planning to offer Lansing-based flights to both Orlando and Fort Myers, Florida.
Contact Sarah Moore at SMoore@lsj.com
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