New low-cost airliner at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport to add third Florida destination

Avelo, a new budget airline carrier, has added a third destination from Blue Grass Airport before its first flight from Lexington.

At a press conference Thursday, Avelo announced that it will add the Fort Myers, Fla., airport to its list of destinations.

It had previously announced it would start service between the Lexington and Tampa and Orlando airports.

The company will begin service to Orlando starting Oct. 19 and Tampa beginning Nov. 12. The company announced the new flights in July. The flights to Fort Myers will begin Nov. 18.

Avelo will be the only airline serving the Fort Myers area from Lexington. Allegiant has flights to Orlando and Tampa but to different airports.

Fort Myers was recently announced as a new hub or base for Avelo.

Introductory low one-way fares between Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX) and Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) start at $59 and can be purchased at AveloAir.com.

“The addition of Fort Myers to our LEX schedule makes visiting Florida even more affordable and convenient. Bluegrass residents can now choose from three sun-soaked nonstop destinations— Orlando, Tampa and Florida’s majestic Southwest Gulf Coast,” said Andrew Levy, CEO of Avelo.

Levy said demand for flights to Florida has increased.

“That part of the U.S. is going through a dramatic acceleration of travel to that area,” Levy said. “It’s really grown a ton during the pandemic and it shows no signs of changing. “

Avelo is the first new airline at Blue Grass Airport in over a decade.

“Many in our community visit southwest Florida on a routine basis, so having an airline like Avelo with a large, comfortable aircraft and low fares that provides nonstop service to Fort Myers is awesome,” said Eric Frankl, president and CEO of Blue Grass Airport.

The last time a new commercial airplane carrier came to Lexington was AirTran in 2010. After AirTran merged with Southwest Airlines, it left Blue Grass Airport in 2012. Allegiant has been at the airport since 2008.

With the addition of Avelo, Blue Grass Airport will soon have five commercial carriers — Avelo, Allegiant, American Airways, United Airlines and Delta.