The low-cost Avelo Airlines will cease serving four Oregon cities in December as it closes its operations based in Burbank, Calif, and discontinue its West Coast flights, the company announced Monday.
Avelo’s closure of its West Coast operations will affect weekly or twice-weekly service to Eugene, Salem, Redmond, and Medford. Redmond and Medford are served by other airlines, but Avelo’s departure will once again leave Salem without any commercial airline service.
The decision is not specifically related to the backlash over the airline’s connection to the federal government chartering its planes to transport immigrants arrested by Homeland Security officers, the company said.
“We believe the continuation (of) service from Burbank in the current operating environment will not deliver adequate financial returns in a highly competitive backdrop,” Avelo spokesperson Courtney Goff said in an emailed statement to KLCC. “The aircraft in Burbank are expected to support growth in our East Coast bases, where we have significantly more opportunity to continue our path to sustainable cash flow generation.”
Currently, the airline flies from Eugene to Burbank about twice a week, according to schedules posted on the Eugene Airport’s website. Goff said Avelo’s final day of service to Eugene is scheduled for Dec. 1.
A Eugene Airport official said Avelo notified the airport Monday of its decision to discontinue its Eugene service.
- KLCC News