Avelo Airlines has opened a new chapter in its rapid expansion with the launch of nonstop service from Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, a headline-grabbing Caribbean addition that also marks Wilmington’s first scheduled international route.

The move positions the ultra-low-cost carrier at the heart of a growing trend among U.S. budget airlines that are shifting more capacity toward sun-and-sand leisure markets in the Caribbean.

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A Historic First for Wilmington International Airport

The new Wilmington to Punta Cana route represents a milestone for both Avelo and Wilmington International Airport, which had never before hosted scheduled commercial international service. Avelo’s inaugural flight departed just ahead of the peak winter holiday period, giving coastal North Carolina residents a direct escape to one of the Caribbean’s most visited beach destinations.

Avelo is operating the route twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, using Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft configured for leisure travel. The flight bypasses traditional hub airports and connects a smaller U.S. market directly with an international resort area, a hallmark of Avelo’s strategy since it began flying in 2021.

Airport officials in Wilmington have framed the launch as a turning point, noting that the introduction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing for scheduled commercial flights expands ILM’s role from a regional gateway to a genuine international player. For local tourism and business leaders, the new Caribbean connection is expected to bolster the region’s visibility among both domestic and international travelers.

Avelo’s Caribbean Network Grows Beyond Mexico and Jamaica

Punta Cana is not Avelo’s first foray into the Caribbean, but it is emerging as one of the pillars of the airline’s international network. From its early days focusing largely on domestic routes, Avelo has steadily added leisure-oriented international destinations, beginning with nonstop service from Hartford’s Bradley International Airport to Montego Bay in Jamaica and Cancun in Mexico.

The airline subsequently layered in a third Caribbean route from Bradley to Punta Cana, launched as a year-round, twice-weekly service. That route, which joined Cancun and Montego Bay in Avelo’s portfolio of international offerings from Connecticut, signaled the carrier’s intention to make the Caribbean a core component of its schedule rather than a seasonal experiment.

In 2025 the airline also moved to deepen its Caribbean footprint from the U.S. Southeast. It announced a new link between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Nassau in the Bahamas, adding yet another island market to its growing map. Together, these developments illustrate an intentional pivot into warm-weather, resort-heavy destinations where demand for budget-friendly nonstop flights remains strong.

Strategy: Point-to-Point Leisure Routes From Underserved Airports

Avelo’s new Caribbean flying from Wilmington fits neatly into the carrier’s broader strategy of serving medium and small airports with nonstop point-to-point routes that larger network airlines often overlook. By bypassing crowded hubs and focusing on nonstop connectivity, Avelo targets travelers seeking simplicity and lower fares over loyalty-program perks and extensive connection options.

Wilmington International Airport has been central to that approach. Avelo established ILM as a crew and operations base in 2025, stationing Boeing 737 aircraft there and steadily adding domestic routes across the East Coast and Midwest. With the launch of Punta Cana service, the airline now serves more than a dozen destinations from Wilmington, and for the first time, local passengers can check in for a flight that lands outside U.S. borders.

For the airline, this model offers several efficiencies. Operating from a base at ILM allows Avelo to control aircraft utilization, crew scheduling, and maintenance more tightly while building brand recognition in the community. For Wilmington and the surrounding coastal region, the arrangement promises increased visitor traffic and expanded travel options for residents without the need to drive to larger airports such as Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte.

Airport and Community Reaction in North Carolina

Officials at Wilmington International Airport have hailed the start of Caribbean service as a breakthrough moment for the facility and the community it serves. The airport, which has experienced steady growth over the past decade, had long expressed interest in securing international flights but lacked both the necessary infrastructure and an airline partner willing to test demand.

Those conditions began to change when Avelo entered the market in 2022 with domestic flights and later selected ILM as its eighth operating base. Local leaders highlighted the Punta Cana route as an example of how that deeper partnership can translate into new opportunities, both for outbound leisure travelers and for inbound visitors attracted to the beaches and historic towns of coastal North Carolina.

Community response has been enthusiastic, with early flights marked by celebratory send-offs at the gate and promotional fares designed to spur trial among first-time Avelo customers. Tourism officials in the Wilmington region expect the route to generate interest from travelers who might otherwise connect through larger hubs, underscoring ILM’s evolving role as more than just a feeder airport.

Economic and Tourism Impacts on Both Ends of the Route

The economic stakes around Avelo’s new Caribbean flights extend beyond a single airline and airport. For Wilmington and the broader Cape Fear region, nonstop international service has the potential to stimulate visitor spending in hotels, restaurants, retail, and attractions by raising the area’s profile among U.S. and international travelers who value easy access and a growing network of connections.

The launch also comes at a time when many Caribbean tourism economies are chasing diversified visitor flows from secondary U.S. cities rather than relying solely on large coastal gateways.

Punta Cana, already a well-established resort hub, stands to benefit from direct access to a new U.S. origin market, filling hotel rooms and resort packages with travelers who may have previously considered Florida or domestic beaches their default winter getaways.

On the employment side, Avelo’s decision to base aircraft and crew in Wilmington has led to new jobs in aviation operations, customer service, and ground handling. Additional international flying may support further hiring, including roles that require specialized training in customs and immigration processing, security, and international flight support.

Caribbean Competition Heats Up Among Low-Cost Carriers

Avelo’s move into Caribbean markets comes amid intensifying competition in the region among low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers. Airlines across the United States have been redeploying capacity to high-demand leisure markets where travelers have shown a willingness to spend on vacations, even as they remain cost-conscious about airfare.

For Avelo, the key differentiator has been its focus on underserved origin airports rather than competing head-to-head on heavily trafficked trunk routes. By linking places like Hartford and Wilmington directly with sun destinations such as Montego Bay, Cancun, Nassau, and Punta Cana, the airline is carving out a niche where it can avoid the fiercest fare wars while still offering attractive price points.

Industry analysts note that success in these markets will depend on sustaining year-round demand, not just peak-season holiday and spring break travel. Avelo’s decision to schedule its Caribbean services as year-round, twice-weekly operations signals confidence that latent demand exists across the calendar, driven by a mix of vacationers, visiting friends and relatives traffic, and cruise and resort travelers connecting to packages on the ground.

What Travelers Can Expect on the New Avelo Caribbean Route

Passengers booking Avelo’s new Wilmington to Punta Cana service will experience the airline’s standard ultra-low-cost model, which focuses on base fares stripped of extras and a menu of optional add-ons such as seat selection, checked and carry-on bags, and priority boarding.

That structure allows travelers to tailor the cost of their trip depending on whether they are flying with light baggage or planning a weeklong stay at an all-inclusive resort.

The twice-weekly schedule is designed with leisure travelers in mind. Wednesday and Saturday departures support common vacation patterns, including long weekend getaways and seven-night stays. Operating the service on a fixed pattern can also help local hotels and tour operators in Punta Cana align their offerings with inbound and outbound flight times.

Onboard, Avelo relies on Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft that offer a single-class configuration. While the product is basic compared with legacy airline offerings, the focus is on reliability and affordability. For many travelers from Wilmington and surrounding communities, the value proposition lies less in onboard frills and more in the convenience of skipping long drives and layovers to reach the Caribbean.

FAQ

Q1: What new Caribbean route has Avelo just launched?
Avelo has launched a new nonstop route between Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, providing the airport’s first scheduled international service.

Q2: How often does Avelo fly between Wilmington and Punta Cana?
The Wilmington to Punta Cana route operates twice a week, with flights scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays to cater primarily to leisure travelers.

Q3: What aircraft does Avelo use on its Caribbean routes?
Avelo operates its Caribbean services with Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft configured in a single-class layout suited to high-demand leisure markets.

Q4: Why is this route significant for Wilmington International Airport?
The route is significant because it is the first time Wilmington International Airport has hosted scheduled commercial international service, expanding the airport’s role from a regional gateway to an international departure point.

Q5: Does Avelo fly to other Caribbean destinations besides Punta Cana?
Yes. In addition to Punta Cana, Avelo offers Caribbean and nearby sun destinations including Cancun in Mexico, Montego Bay in Jamaica, Nassau in the Bahamas, and service to San Juan in Puerto Rico from select U.S. gateways.

Q6: Are Avelo’s Caribbean flights seasonal or year-round?
Key Caribbean routes, including the newly launched service from Bradley International Airport to Punta Cana and other island destinations, are scheduled as year-round, twice-weekly services rather than short seasonal offerings.

Q7: What kind of fares can travelers expect on Avelo’s Caribbean flights?
Travelers can typically expect low base fares characteristic of an ultra-low-cost carrier, with additional charges for extras such as checked and carry-on bags, seat selection, and certain booking changes.

Q8: How does Avelo’s strategy differ from larger airlines in the Caribbean?
Avelo focuses on point-to-point routes from smaller and mid-sized U.S. airports directly to leisure destinations, avoiding congested hubs and competing less directly with larger carriers on major trunk routes.

Q9: Will the new Caribbean route create jobs in Wilmington?
Yes. The route is part of a broader Avelo build-up at Wilmington International Airport that includes basing aircraft and crews there, which supports jobs in flight operations, maintenance, ground handling, and customer service.

Q10: How does this launch fit into Avelo’s overall growth plans?
The new Caribbean route aligns with Avelo’s broader growth strategy of expanding its network across the United States and the Caribbean, leveraging recent capital investment and new operating bases to add high-demand leisure destinations to its map.