History of Avelo Airlines in Timeline

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

July 20, 1987: Establishment of Casino Express Airlines

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

1989: Casino Express Airlines 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 Scheduled 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, for a short time, Casino Express Airlines operated one Boeing 737-200 jetliner for the start-up airline Tahoe Air.

December 8, 2005: Casino Express Renamed 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 Aircraft Livery Change

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 for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, followed by a second Boeing 737-400 aircraft also chartered by the campaign.

August 2018: Andrew Levy Acquires Xtra Airways

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: Houston Air Holdings, Inc. 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 and Announces Scheduled Operations

On April 8, 2021, Casino Express Airlines rebranded as Avelo Airlines and announced its transition to scheduled operations. The airline also began selling tickets for flights based at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California.

April 28, 2021: Inaugural Flight

On April 28, 2021, Avelo Airlines operated its inaugural 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 that it would open a new base at Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut during the third quarter of 2021.

May 20, 2021: Initial Route Network Launching

Avelo Airlines' initial route network, consisting of eleven unserved destinations from Burbank, was launching between April 28 and May 20, 2021.

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: Details of Operations at New Haven Base Revealed

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: Launch of New Haven Base Operations

During November 2021, Avelo Airlines launched its operations at its New Haven base, with initial 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: Establishment of Orlando Base

In April 2022, Avelo had established another base, consisting of Orlando International Airport

October 2022: Establishment of Wilmington Base

In October 2022, Avelo had established another base, consisting of Wilmington, Delaware's New Castle Airport

November 2022: Establishment of Raleigh-Durham Base

In November 2022, Avelo had established another base, consisting of Raleigh–Durham International Airport.

September 2023: Establishment of Las Vegas Base

In September 2023, Avelo Airlines established its sixth base at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport, however the base was relocated to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa 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.

May 2024: Relocation of Las Vegas Base

In May 2024, Avelo Airlines relocated its base from Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa after initially establishing its sixth base at Las Vegas in September 2023.

2024: Expansion of 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 Starts Servicing Portland

Avelo had only started servicing Portland in January 2025.

April 2025: Agreement for Charter Program and Ceasing Boise Service

In April 2025, Avelo Airlines signed an agreement for a long-term charter program flying for ICE and announced it was ceasing service to and from Boise, Idaho, effective April 27.

May 12, 2025: Commencement of "Removal" Flights

On May 12, 2025, Avelo Airlines commenced "removal" flights for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, operating out of a new base at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.

July 14, 2025: Closure of Burbank Base and West Coast Operations

On July 14, 2025, Avelo announced it would close its Burbank base and cease all operations on the West Coast by December, citing market conditions.

July 25, 2025: New Haven Prohibits Use of Public Funds for Avelo Travel

On July 25, 2025, the city of New Haven prohibited the use of public funds for any travel on Avelo Airlines, citing the airline's involvement in "inhumane and often illegal immigration policies."

September 10, 2025: Avelo Orders Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft

On September 10, 2025, Embraer announced a large order of their new E195-E2 aircraft by Avelo. The firm order was placed for 50 new aircraft with an additional option for 50 more.