Avelo Airlines Ends All International Routes

The Texas-based ultra-low-cost carrier terminated its six international services in January 2026 and redeployed aircraft to domestic routes.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Air Travel

Avelo Airlines Ends All International Routes

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Avelo Airlines cancelled all of its international flights in January 2026, ending six routes it had operated from Bradley, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington airports. The carrier is redeploying its aircraft to domestic routes as it focuses on scaling its core bases.

Why it matters

The move reflects weak demand on the international routes, which averaged a 68.5% load factor against the roughly 80% airlines typically need to operate profitably. For U.S. travelers, it means fewer nonstop options to Caribbean and Mexican destinations from Avelo's East Coast hubs.

Avelo's international load factor averaged 68.5% across its routes, below the roughly 80% airlines aim for to operate at a profit. Round-trip international passengers peaked at 83,791 in 2025 before dropping to 3,986 in 2026.

The players

Avelo Airlines

A Texas-based ultra-low-cost carrier that evolved from Xtra Airways and Casino Express Airlines and built a domestic network known for low fares.

The details

Avelo Airlines, which evolved from Xtra Airways and Casino Express Airlines, began international service from Hartford in November 2024 and from Raleigh-Durham in February 2025. The carrier pulled its aircraft from the Wilmington-Punta Cana route after only weeks of operation, citing weaker-than-expected demand.

November 2024: Avelo began international service from Bradley International Airport in Hartford.
February 2025: Avelo began international service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
December 2025: The Wilmington to Punta Cana route launched.
January 2026: All Avelo international flights were terminated.

Industry Dynamics

Avelo's retreat from international routes follows its 2024 and 2025 expansion into Caribbean and Mexican markets, a pattern of ultra-low-cost carriers testing overseas demand before scaling back to core domestic bases. The move reverses that expansion as the carrier concentrates aircraft on domestic routes.

Travelers who had booked Avelo's international flights from Hartford, Raleigh-Durham or Wilmington should check their reservations, as those routes no longer operate. Those planning trips to Punta Cana, Montego Bay or Cancún will need to look at other carriers for nonstop service.

The takeaway

Route cuts like Avelo's show that low fares alone may not sustain flights when load factors fall short of roughly 80%. Travelers should verify bookings directly with airlines when a carrier restructures its network.