LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) soon will begin to fly passengers with the first commercial airline to serve the Lakeland region in more than a decade.
The Polk County airport has been known for hosting the NOAA Hurricane Hunters and industry airlines like Amazon, as well as housing storage for t-hangars for small plane owners, according to its website.
Avelo Airlines begins flight services in and out of the LAL on Thursday, June 13, 2024. The airline provides non-stop flights to and from Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), an airport in southern Connecticut.
The company will use a Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, and introductory one-way flights begin at $72, according to the airline. Avelo also has flights to and from Orlando International Airport.
The agreement between LAL, Visit Central Florida and Avelo Airlines was approved on Dec. 18, 2023, and has taken seven months to ensure a passenger-ready airport.
Despite being open for over a decade, LAL needed $1.6 million in upgrades, including passenger security screening checkpoints expansions, additional hold room seating and improved rental car offices, according to a news release.
Lakeland will also spend up to $30,000 a year in marketing for Avelo Airlines. Polk County has partnered with LAL to put a tourism and visitor information desk in the terminal building. A one-way exit lane was installed for passengers leaving the airplane while simultaneously protecting secured areas of the airport. This construction cost $95,000.
“The City of Lakeland welcomes an exciting new era of travel with the announcement of Avelo Airlines offering commercial air service to and from Lakeland International Airport," Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz said in a statement. "This service from Lakeland opens up a world of increasing possibilities for our regional citizens. We anticipate a thriving partnership with Avelo Airlines, providing many adventures ahead!”
LAL houses Waco Kitchen, a restaurant for passengers and visitors. However, this restaurant closed in April, and no new restaurants have been installed in time. Airport Director Kris Hallstrand said they might invite food trucks to set up in the short term to give passengers access to food in the meantime, according to Lakeland Now.
The Tweed-New Haven Airport provides a gateway to greater New Haven, as well as being adjacent to major highways and railways to the New England and New York regions.
Flights with Avelo Airport can be booked now for flights starting tomorrow through their website.
