KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Just weeks after announcing it’s nonstop service to Orlando Florida from Kalamazoo, Avelo Airlines has added yet another popular vacation destination to the Sunshine State.
The Houston Texas based airline announced on Thursday, August 25 that it’s expanding service from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport with nonstop service to Fort Myers beginning November 11, with fares starting at $79.
The airline announced it’s nonstop service from Kalamazoo to Orlando on July 28. Head of Marketing for Avelo Airlines Travis Christ said that they were pleasantly surprised of how quickly that flight booked up compared to others that typically take up to a few weeks, even months in some cases.
“It really makes us look at, when we have new airplanes coming, where should we put them. We really wanna go with what’s working already. And so Kalamazoo is working so well, it was a pretty easy decision to add more flights,” noted Christ who said that they had more airplanes coming on board as well, which could mean even more destinations for those traveling out of Southwest Michigan.
“If these flights to Orlando and Ft. Meyers do as well as they are looking as they are right now, anything is possible,” said Christ who also stressed that those wanting to book on Avelo will not be able to do so through expidia.com or the other big box travel websites. They will need to specifically go through AveloAir.com.
“It’s important to keep fares low by keeping all of our costs low, and when you sell your tickets through third parties, there’s a significant expense attached to that in a lot of different ways,” added Christ who also feels this tactic will also help keep Avelo top of mind for those looking to get away for a reasonable price.
Airport Director Craig Williams feels the success of Avelo Airlines will make others look to Kalamazoo as the travel industry continues to ramp up following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is the kind of thing that will raise eyebrows. The success of Avelo in Kalamazoo will get other people looking and say maybe we can make something work there as well,” said Williams.
Since taking flight April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than one million Customers on more than 8,500 flights.
