It is easy to look at the four new routes Southwest Airlines announced out of Orlando this week in disbelief. But there’s more to it than just a few sub-200 mile routes.
Orlando
Avelo looks to Mexico, Dominican Republic for international growth
Avelo is looking to collect some passport stamps. The carrier applied on Friday for authority to operate flights from the US to both Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Lakeland invests in Avelo
Lakeland is ready to take flight with Avelo. The city approved just under $2 million in investments for its airport facilities as part of a contract to secure commercial service from the airline.
JetBlue promises massive Orlando growth if Spirit merger approved
JetBlue plans a pair of new routes between Orlando and the Dominican Republic from November 2023, a down payment on what it sees as more than doubling daily operations in Central Florida should its merger with Spirit Airlines be approved.
Avelo adds Orlando base, continues expansion
Upstart Avelo Airlines sees big potential in Orlando. The airline will establish a new crew and aircraft base in Central Florida, bringing new competition to the market. Avelo plans for ten destinations served from Orlando by the end of the year.
Norse Atlantic’s four inaugural routes on sale
Norse Atlantic will bring its 787 “Longships” across the Atlantic Ocean beginning in June. The carrier formally launched its first four transatlantic routes, with New York City, Los Angeles, and Florida connecting to Oslo from this summer.
Aer Lingus UK receives initial US authorization to fly
The new Aer Lingus UK flights between Manchester, UK and the USA moved a step closer to reality. The US Department of Transportation issued a Show Cause order approving the carrier’s plans and asking for any final objections. Lacking those (and none are expected) the order should take effect by the end of the month.
Frontier continues Caribbean expansion, adds four new destinations
Put another four Caribbean dots on the Frontier Airlines route map. After promising last month that more sun and surf destinations are coming the carrier delivered, boosting its plans for the upcoming winter.
Aer Lingus delays Manchester-US service launch
The Aer Lingus hub at Manchester, UK is taking a delay. Citing slower than expected reopening of the US-UK travel corridor, Aer Lingus will delay the launch of US routes two months, now planning New York and Orlando flights to begin on 30 September 2020.
Aer Lingus Launches UK subsidiary, applies for US route authorities
Aer Lingus (U.K.) Limited is the latest airline seeking access to the US market. The newly established subsidiary of Aer Lingus is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and will be the aircraft operator of record for the company’s planned Manchester, UK base in Summer 2021.