NEWS

Avelo Airlines Streamlines Fleet and Closes Bases in Network Overhaul

Published

4 days ago

January 7, 2026

Featured news image showing an Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-700 parked at an airport gate with “Closed / Restructured” signage, U.S. base location map pins, and a subtle financial graph illustrating Avelo’s 2026 fleet and network restructuring.

Houston, United States
News Desk | Business

Avelo Airlines announced on January 6, 2026, a major restructuring of its operations, including the closure of three crew bases and the retirement of six Boeing 737-700 aircraft. The ultra-low-cost carrier, recently recapitalized with one of the strongest cash positions relative to its size in the U.S. airline industry, cited the changes as part of a balance sheet transformation to focus on sustainable growth. The moves follow shifting market dynamics and lagging demand for low-cost seats, according to company statements.

The airline will concentrate operations at five core bases: New Haven, Connecticut; Charlotte, North Carolina; Lakeland, Florida; Philadelphia/Delaware Valley; and a new base planned for late 2026 in McKinney, Texas, near Dallas. Closures affect bases in Wilmington, North Carolina; Mesa, Arizona; and another unspecified location, ending service at sites like Wilmington International Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport. Avelo also confirmed it will cease deportation flights from Mesa Gateway, as reported by local outlets.

These adjustments come amid preparations for a significant fleet expansion, with deliveries of up to 100 Embraer 195-E2 jets starting in early 2027 and continuing through 2032. Company executives stated the E195-E2 aircraft suit smaller, niche markets avoided by major carriers, enabling national expansion once deliveries begin. Avelo Chief Executive Andrew Levy previously noted the strategic fit for underserved routes.

The restructuring simplifies Avelo’s network following its exit from its original Burbank, California base last year. Officials emphasized the changes position the airline for long-term scalability without immediate layoffs specified. Passengers at affected airports face service reductions, prompting travelers to check updates on rerouted flights.

Avelo Airlines launched in April 2021 as a startup targeting leisure routes with low fares. The recapitalization bolsters its finances for future growth, the company said in a press release.

Which Avelo bases are closing and which remain open?

Avelo is closing its Mesa (Phoenix/Mesa Gateway), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Wilmington NC (ILM) and Hollywood Burbank bases while keeping New Haven, Wilmington DE (ILG), Charlotte/Concord and Lakeland open.

How will the Embraer E195-E2 order affect Avelo routes?

The E195-E2 order supports Avelo’s fleet modernization and cost efficiency, enabling expansion and longer-range service while consolidating around core East Coast markets.

When will Avelo receive its first E195-E2 aircraft?

Avelo’s first Embraer E195-E2 is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2027.

How many 737-700s did Avelo remove from service?

Avelo is removing six Boeing 737-700 aircraft from its fleet.

What passenger routes will be cut at Wilmington and Mesa Gateway airports?

At Wilmington NC (ILM) and Mesa Gateway, Avelo is cutting multiple routes tied to those bases as part of service reductions, though specific individual city pair routes vary with the closure; Wilmington DE (ILG) continues many routes while ILM and Mesa Gateway services are ending.

ALSO READ: Gospel Composer and Choir Leader Richard Smallwood Dies at 77

NEWS

Gospel Composer and Choir Leader Richard Smallwood Dies at 77

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2026

John MacDonald

Portrait of gospel composer Richard Smallwood seated at a piano with a blurred choir in the background, honoring his musical legacy.

Washington, United States
News Desk | Arts & Culture

Richard Smallwood, a Grammy-winning gospel composer, pianist and choir leader whose work helped shape contemporary Black sacred music, has died at the age of 77, according to statements released by family representatives and record labels on Tuesday. His death was reported by multiple U.S. media outlets. No immediate cause of death was disclosed.

Smallwood rose to prominence in the late 1970s after founding the Richard Smallwood Singers, blending classical training with traditional gospel forms in compositions that became widely performed in churches and concert halls. Born in Atlanta and raised in Washington, D.C., he studied classical piano before turning his focus to sacred music, drawing on hymns, spirituals and choral traditions.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Smallwood wrote and arranged hundreds of works, including “Total Praise,” “Lift Your Name on High,” and “I Love the Lord,” pieces that became staples of worship services across denominations. His music was recorded by major choirs and soloists and frequently performed at national religious gatherings, according to published accounts.

Smallwood earned multiple Grammy Awards and Dove Awards and was recognized by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture for his contributions to American music. In interviews, he described his approach as rooted in theology as much as musicianship, emphasizing precision, disciplined rehearsal, and spiritual intent.

Colleagues and artists credited Smallwood with elevating the role of choral composition in modern gospel and mentoring generations of church musicians. Statements issued following his death described him as a meticulous teacher and a composer whose work bridged sacred tradition and contemporary expression.

Plans for memorial services and public tributes had not been announced as of Tuesday. The story is developing.

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