Memphis International to offer flights to Raleigh-Durham
Avelo Airlines becomes MEM’s 10th airline
Decorative street lights illuminate a pedestrian plaza in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Memphis International Airport will offer flights to Raleigh, North Carolina, beginning June 14.
Airport officials announced Wednesday, March 15, Avelo Airlines will offer nonstop service between Memphis and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Avelo will be the only airline offering nonstop service to Raleigh, which serves Raleigh, Durham and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina.
Avelo will operate this route to Raleigh twice a week on Mondays and Fridays using Boeing Next-Generation 737s.
Tickets are now on sale on Avelo’s website.
“The arrival of Avelo Airlines at MEM provides our passengers with another low-fare travel option and restores service to one of our top unserved destinations,” said Michael Keeney, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority board.
Based in Houston, Avelo becomes the 10th airline serving Memphis International. Since its inaugural flight in April 2021, Avelo has flown 2 million customers on more than 15,000 flights.
Anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Research Triangle encompasses three major research universities: North Carolina State University, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Getting to The Research Triangle is now more affordable and easier than ever,” said Avelo chairman and CEO Andrew Levy in a statement Tuesday. “Avelo’s combination of everyday low fares, industry-leading reliability and caring service — coupled with MEM’s travel-friendly convenience — will inspire people from across the region to enjoy everything the Raleigh-Durham area has to offer.”
Levy bought the now-defunct Xtra Airways in 2018 with the intention of transforming the charter airline service into a low-cost airline. Xtra started as Casino Express Airlines in 1987.
“We are grateful to Avelo for entering the Memphis market and expect that our passengers will embrace this opportunity to connect to RDU,” Keeney said.
Topics
Memphis International Airport Raleigh-Durham International Airport Avelo AirlinesRob Moore
Rob Moore covers North Mississippi for The Daily Memphian. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from The University of Memphis.
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