MHT welcomes JetBlue and new Avelo routes

Just after takeoff for two new airlines at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), another new airline is taxiing on the runway early next year, while one already at the terminal is adding new flights this fall, the airport revealed Wednesday. JetBlue, a New York City-based low-cost carrier, will introduce service from MHT to Florida this winter, and Avelo will add two more nonstop routes to its offerings in Manchester, the Queen City airport announced in two separate news releases Wednesday. It's a hot summer for MHT, but not just its tarmac. The latest news comes just over a month after the airport welcomed low-cost carrier Breeze Airways to Manchester on June 14, and less than a month ahead of ultra-low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines' arrival, slated for Aug. 22 with service to its Minneapolis headquarters. JetBlue plans to launch its service in Manchester in January 2025, with year-round daily flights to Orlando, and seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers in the winter, according to an announcement by the company. The airline aims for the connection to complement its focused operations at Boston Logan International Airport to give more selection to flyers in the region, with MHT becoming JetBlue's 10th connected airport in New England. The airline's earliest flights to and from MHT are available for booking as of Thursday, with introductory discounted fares of $49. Flights to Orlando and Fort Myers start on Jan. 23, 2025, while flights to Fort Lauderdale start the following day, Jan. 24. The Fort Myers route will run three times a week, while the Fort Lauderdale route is four times a week. In conjunction with its Manchester debut, JetBlue is also adding new routes at Boston Logan to vacation destinations and a second daily nonstop flight to Phoenix, Ariz. "We are incredibly proud of our strong roots in Boston and New England, a place that has always embraced our vision for low fares and superior travel experiences," said JetBlue President Marty St. George in a news release about its expansion in the region. "Our commitment to Boston and our loyal customers across New England is unwavering as we continue to innovate and enhance our product." Meanwhile, Houston-based Avelo, an ultra-low-cost carrier, is adding exclusive nonstop service to North Carolina and Florida. Service will launch between MHT and Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in Concord, N.C. — northeast of Charlotte — beginning Nov. 7 and operating on Thursdays and Sundays, according to the airline. Likewise, nonstop service will be offered from MHT to Lakeland International Airport between Tampa and Orlando beginning Oct. 25 and running on Mondays and Fridays. One-way fares from Manchester to any destination via Avelo start at $62 per person. "These are two alternative airports (that are) incredibly easy to use, small and conveniently located, a lot like Manchester-Boston Airport is," said Andrew Levy, founder and CEO of Avelo, in a pre-recorded video interview provided by an MHT spokesperson. "I think you're going to really love flying into these airports." Levy said MHT officials have been "terrific partners" as his company has expanded its presence in the Queen City among seven other carriers including JetBlue, all while the airport was recently named the Best Domestic Airport by travel magazine Travel + Leisure in its World's Best Awards 2023. "This is our third and fourth market that we're serving into this airport," he said. "It's a tremendous airport; it was recognized as such recently as one of the best airports in the country (by Travel + Leisure)." Avelo has ambitions of growing its routes to and from MHT in the future, Levy added. The newest two routes add to its continued expansion at MHT, as the airline began service from the airport to Greenville, S.C., on May 2 and has doubled its weekly flights to Raleigh-Durham, N.C., this year. "The community has done a great job filling seats to Raleigh-Durham and Greenville-Spartanburg; this expansion is a direct result of that support," said MHT Airport Director Ted Kitchens in a news release from Avelo. "We need to keep supporting the service that Avelo is providing in the market. Avelo has many choices as to where their planes fly, and we are thankful that they chose to expand at MHT."