Alright, let's get this straight. Avelo Airlines is "consolidating" its network? Please. That's PR-speak for "we screwed up," isn't it? Winding down their entire West Coast network – the place where they started? That's not consolidation; that's a fire sale.
So, now they're gonna focus on the East Coast until 2027 when the Embraer E195-E2s arrive. Mid-2027. That's, like, a geological age in the airline industry. Who even knows if Avelo will be around then?
Mike Corcoran, Avelo’s director of network planning, says their "number one inhibitor to growth right now is just the fact that a lot of people don’t know that we actually exist." You think? Maybe because you pulled out of your original base, genius?
"Driving scale, building out our current bases, is going to be the right path forward in terms of building brand awareness." Oh, so now you figure that out? After burning through cash on a bi-coastal strategy that clearly wasn't working?
And get this: they haven't even settled on a configuration for the E195-E2s yet. They're "targeting around 140 seats." Targeting? It's 2025, people! You're supposed to get these things in less than two years! Are they just spitballing at this point? What have they been doing this whole time?
"The E2 is really going to enable us to serve the West Coast in a more efficient way." That's what Corcoran said. Translation: "We blew it the first time, but we promise, promise we'll do better with shiny new planes!"
They've identified 20 potential airports for the E195-E2s. Twenty! That's a lot of "potential." I'm sure they have a detailed analysis for each one and not just throwing darts at a map.
But wait, there's more! They're adding routes from Wilmington, Delaware, to Chicago and Atlanta. Okay, that's... something. Flights to Atlanta five times a week, Chicago four. Affordable one-way fares starting at $34? Not bad, I guess. But Wilmington? Really? Avelo Airlines adds two more nonstop destinations to its Wilmington Airport roster
Avelo's communications manager, Courtney Goff, says these additions are a response to customer requests. "We have seen people wanting lower, affordable options and especially non-stop, to some of these more business destinations..." Sure, because everyone's clamoring to fly to Chicago from Wilmington. Let's be real.
Oh, and the third aircraft coming to Wilmington Airport made it possible to add more destinations. Well, there you go. More planes, more routes, more…confusion? I don't know.
This whole thing feels like a desperate attempt to course-correct after a series of missteps. They expanded too quickly, spread themselves too thin, and now they're trying to regroup. But can they pull it off? Or is Avelo destined to become another airline industry cautionary tale?
Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe Avelo actually has a plan. Maybe the E195-E2s will revolutionize their operations. Maybe people will flock to Wilmington Airport.
Nah. Give me a break.
