History of Avelo Airlines in Timeline

Avelo Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost airline based in Houston, Texas. It was formerly known as Casino Express Airlines and Xtra Airways, primarily operating charter flights. Avelo rebranded and commenced scheduled operations on April 8, 2021. Its inaugural flight was on April 28, 2021, flying from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.

July 20, 1987: Casino Express Airlines Established

On July 20, 1987, Casino Express Airlines was established.

1989: Casino Express Airlines Operations Begin

In 1989, Casino Express Airlines began operations, utilizing Boeing 737-200 jetliners exclusively for the Red Lion Hotel and Casino in Elko, Nevada.

1994: Casino Express Expands Routes

In 1994, Casino Express Airlines operated scheduled weekend flights between Elko and Portland, Oregon, and Seattle using McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jetliners.

1999: Casino Express Supports Tahoe Air

In 1999, Casino Express Airlines operated a Boeing 737-200 jetliner for Tahoe Air, providing scheduled passenger service from South Lake Tahoe Airport to Los Angeles and San Jose.

December 8, 2005: Casino Express Rebrands to Xtra Airways

On December 8, 2005, Casino Express changed its name to Xtra Airways to reflect its broader customer base.

2007: Xtra Airways Flies for Direct Air

From 2007, Xtra Airways dedicated two Boeing 737-400 aircraft to fly for Direct Air.

2012: Xtra Airways Flies for Direct Air

Through 2012, Xtra Airways dedicated two Boeing 737-400 aircraft to fly for Direct Air.

2015: Xtra Airways Changes Aircraft Livery

In 2015, Xtra Airways updated its aircraft livery to an executive jet style with flag blue and red stripes.

September 2016: Xtra Airways Supports Hillary Clinton Campaign

In September 2016, Xtra Airways began operating a Boeing 737-800 repainted in a sky-blue and white livery with "Stronger Together" titles for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign; a second aircraft, Boeing 737-400, was also chartered by the campaign.

August 2018: Andrew Levy Acquires Xtra Airways

In August 2018, Andrew Levy acquired Xtra Airways with plans to transform it into an ultra-low cost carrier.

April 2019: Airline Considers Boeing 737-800s

By April 2019, the airline was considering operating Boeing 737-800s.

February 2020: Houston Air Holdings Announced

In February 2020, Andrew Levy announced the new holding company for Xtra, named Houston Air Holdings, Inc. The company also raised US$125 million in funding and received its first airplane from GE Capital Aviation Services.

April 8, 2021: Avelo Airlines Rebrands

On April 8, 2021, Casino Express Airlines rebranded as Avelo Airlines, transitioning to scheduled operations.

April 28, 2021: Avelo Airlines First Scheduled Flight

On April 28, 2021, Avelo Airlines operated its first scheduled flight from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.

May 6, 2021: Avelo Announces New Base at Tweed New Haven Airport

On May 6, 2021, Avelo Airlines announced that it would open a new base at Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut during the third quarter of 2021, investing US$1.2 million toward the airport's facilities.

May 20, 2021: Avelo Airlines Route Network Launch

By May 20, 2021, Avelo Airlines was launching its initial route network consisting of eleven unserved destinations from Burbank, California.

June 1, 2021: Alaska Airlines Announces New Service

On June 1, 2021, Alaska Airlines announced a new service between Burbank and Santa Rosa in response to Avelo's entry into scheduled flight operations.

July 7, 2021: Avelo to Terminate Flights to Bozeman and Grand Junction

On July 7, 2021, Avelo Airlines announced that it would terminate its flights to Bozeman and Grand Junction by the end of September.

July 29, 2021: Avelo Announces Additional Destinations

On July 29, 2021, Avelo Airlines announced an additional five destinations including Fort Collins, Las Vegas, Monterey, Provo, and St. George, although the planned flights to Monterey, Provo, and St. George were later cancelled.

August 19, 2021: Avelo Reveals New Haven Base Operations

On August 19, 2021, details of Avelo Airlines' operations at its New Haven base were revealed, initially with four routes between New Haven and destinations in Florida announced to launch during November 2021.

November 2021: Avelo Launches Routes From New Haven

During November 2021, Avelo Airlines launched its initial four routes between New Haven and destinations in Florida.

January 6, 2022: Avelo Raises Additional Capital

On January 6, 2022, Avelo announced that it had raised an additional US$42 million, increasing its invested capital base to over US$160 million.

April 14, 2022: Flight Attendants Union Certified

On April 14, 2022, the Association of Flight Attendants was certified as the exclusive representative of Avelo's flight attendants.

April 2022: Avelo Establishes Base in Orlando

In April 2022, Avelo had established a new base at Orlando International Airport.

October 2022: Avelo Establishes Base in Wilmington

In October 2022, Avelo established a base at Wilmington, Delaware's New Castle Airport.

November 2022: Avelo Establishes Base in Raleigh–Durham

In November 2022, Avelo established a base at Raleigh–Durham International Airport.

September 2023: Avelo Establishes Base in Las Vegas

In September 2023, Avelo established its sixth base at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport.

February 2024: Avelo Announces Fleet Expansion

In February 2024, Avelo announced plans to add five additional aircraft to its fleet, obtained from bankrupt Brazilian airline GOL.

May 2024: Avelo Relocates Base to Santa Rosa

In May 2024, Avelo relocated its base from Las Vegas to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa.

2024: Avelo Expands Service From New Haven

By the end of 2024, Avelo had expanded its service from New Haven to 26 destinations, making the airport its largest base.

January 2025: Avelo Begins Servicing Portland

Avelo had only started servicing Portland, Maine in January 2025.

April 2025: Avelo Signs Charter Agreement with ICE

In April 2025, Avelo Airlines signed an agreement for a long-term charter program with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and announced it was ceasing service to and from Boise, Idaho.