Budget Airline CEO Champions Concord as Charlotte’s Easiest Airport
Avelo Airlines chief Andrew Levy visited Concord-Padgett Regional Airport and watched a busy check-in line for flights to San Juan. He praised the small airport’s simplicity and efficiency. The budget airline CEO has championed Concord as a convenient alternative to larger hubs.
Regional expansion and ridership
Avelo moved into Cabarrus County in May 2024. Since then, the Houston-based carrier has carried more than 230,000 customers on over 2,000 flights.
About 105,000 passengers used Concord last year. Company projections call for roughly 200,000 passengers through Concord this year.
Fleet basing and job growth
The carrier based two aircraft in Concord as of December 2024. That decision is expected to create roughly 90 jobs.
- About 20 pilot positions.
- Around 30 flight attendant roles.
- Up to 30 ground operations jobs.
Avelo is replacing 149-seat Boeing 737-700s with 189-seat 737-800s within months. The local fleet will grow to three planes for peak travel seasons.
The airline has also placed an order for new Embraer jets. Those aircraft are expected to arrive by 2028.
Network shifts and strategy
After a recapitalization and restructuring announced in January, Avelo redirected resources to Concord. Bases at Wilmington and Raleigh-Durham were closed to optimize fleet use.
Levy says route growth depends on available aircraft. Short-haul additions of two to three hours are most likely. Florida, Texas and Midwest destinations are targets.
Airport capacity and constraints
Concord-Padgett Regional is a single-runway airport. It opened in 1994 and was renamed in 2018 for former Mayor Scott Padgett.
The field currently hosts Avelo, Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines. Physical limits may require investments for major expansion.
Levy noted parking and baggage claim areas could need enlargement if traffic keeps rising. Still, he called the facility an efficient option compared with Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Passenger experience and local impact
Avelo plans service upgrades by the coming summer. Passengers will see light snacks, beverages and extra-legroom options.
The airline recently launched a rewards credit card and a subscription club offering discounted fares. Levy said lower fares and convenience spur travel and benefit nearby businesses.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 5:05 AM on Filmogaz.com.
