History of Avelo Airlines in Timeline

Avelo Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost airline based in Houston, Texas. Formerly known as Casino Express Airlines and Xtra Airways, it rebranded and began scheduled operations as Avelo Airlines on April 8, 2021. Its inaugural Avelo flight was on April 28, 2021, from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. The airline has faced legal challenges regarding its involvement in federal "deportation" flights.

July 20, 1987: Casino Express Airlines Established

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

1989: Casino Express Begins Operations

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

1994: Casino Express Adds Weekend Flights

In 1994, Casino Express was operating scheduled weekend only flights non-stop between Elko (EKO) and Portland, Oregon, (PDX) and Seattle (SEA) with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jetliners.

1999: Casino Express Operates for Tahoe Air

In 1999, Casino Express Airlines operated one Boeing 737-200 jetliner for Tahoe Air, providing scheduled passenger air service with non-stop flights from the South Lake Tahoe Airport to Los Angeles International Airport and San Jose International Airport.

December 8, 2005: Casino Express Rebrands as 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 through 2012, Xtra Airways dedicated two Boeing 737-400 aircraft to fly for Direct Air.

2012: Xtra Airways Flies for Direct Air

From 2007 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 changed its aircraft livery to an executive jet style, displaying flag blue and red stripes.

September 2016: Xtra Airways Charters Aircraft for Hillary Clinton Campaign

In September 2016, Xtra Airways began operating a Boeing 737-800 repainted for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, followed by a second Boeing 737-400 also chartered by the campaign.

August 2018: Xtra Airways Acquired by Andrew Levy

In August 2018, Andrew Levy acquired Xtra Airways with the intent of transforming it into an ultra-low cost carrier.

April 2019: Airline Considers Operating Boeing 737-800s

By April 2019, Xtra Airways was considering operating Boeing 737-800s.

February 2020: New Holding Company Announced

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

April 8, 2021: Avelo Airlines Rebrands and Announces Scheduled Operations

On April 8, 2021, Casino Express Airlines rebranded as Avelo Airlines, marking its transition to scheduled operations.

April 28, 2021: Inaugural 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 announced it would open a new base at Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut during the third quarter of 2021.

May 20, 2021: Avelo Initial Route Network

Between April 28 and May 20, 2021 Avelo Airlines launched an initial route network consisting of eleven unserved destinations from Burbank.

June 1, 2021: Competition from Alaska Airlines

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

July 7, 2021: Avelo Terminates 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: Details of New Haven Base Operations Revealed

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

November 2021: Launch of New Haven Base Operations

In November 2021, Avelo launched operations at its New Haven base, initially with 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.

April 14, 2022: Flight Attendants Union Certified

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

April 2022: Orlando International Airport Base Established

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

October 2022: New Castle Airport Base Established

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

November 2022: Raleigh-Durham International Airport Base Established

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

September 2023: Las Vegas Base Established

In September 2023, the airline established its sixth base at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport, later relocated in May 2024.

February 2024: Avelo Announces Fleet Expansion

In February 2024, Avelo announced plans to add five additional aircraft to its fleet, all obtained from bankrupt Brazilian airline GOL. Additional aircraft were acquired from Aerolineas Argentinas and Southwest Airlines in the same year.

May 2024: Base Relocated to Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport

In May 2024, the airline relocated its base from Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa.

2024: New Haven Becomes Largest Base

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

April 2025: Agreement Signed for Charter Program

In April 2025, Avelo Airlines signed an agreement for a long-term charter program flying for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to "support the department's deportation efforts."

April 2025: Avelo Airlines Fleet Composition

As of April 2025, Avelo Airlines operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet.

May 12, 2025: Removal Flights Commence and New Base Opens

On May 12, 2025, Avelo Airlines opened a new base out of Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, with "removal" flights commencing. Simultaneously, service to and from Boise, Idaho, ceased effective April 27.