June 23

U.S. startup Avelo Airlines says it will open a base at Las Vegas Reid International Airport (LAS), its sixth base, in September. The airline will base one 147-seat Boeing 737-700 at LAS, with more aircraft potentially added later. Avelo currently serves LAS from Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport in California, but will add four new routes, all operated 2X-weekly with 737s: Redmond Municipal Airport in Oregon (starting Sept. 7);  Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport in Texas (commencing Sept. 8); Humboldt County Airport in California (starting Sept. 8); and Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa (beginning Sept. 13). 

Chicago Midway International Airport reports it handled 1.6 million passengers per month for the first four months of 2023, “putting the airport at 103% of passenger volume compared to the same period in 2019,” according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. “The pandemic recovery at Midway International Airport is complete,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson adds in a statement. 

June 22

Australian regional carrier Rex will launch domestic flights between Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Hobart International Airport (HBA) in Tasmania from Aug. 17. The airline says it has recently taken delivery of two Boeing 737s, enabling the MEL-HBA route to be started. “Hobart is one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations, which we are delighted to add to our network,” Rex Deputy Chairman John Sharp says in a statement. “Our long-standing commitment to Tasmania spans more than 40 years through our regional airline services. For too long, Hobart has had to endure sky-high airfares because of capacity constraints and price gouging by our competitors.” Rex will fly the MEL-HBA route daily.

Alaska Airlines has reopened its lounge on the D Concourse of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) after five months of renovation work. Alaska, based at SEA, had not upgraded the D Concourse lounge in 20 years. “The newly revamped space has 50% more seating,” Alaska says, adding: “There's a better layout that's easier to move through with a proper bar space to order complimentary craft brews and West Coast wines and spirits. We're also expanding our hot food options that are served throughout the day.” Alaska has also expanded its SEA C Concourse lounge by 3,000 ft.² and added 60 seats. Additionally, the airline says it is “finalizing plans” for a new lounge at San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 1.

Avelo Airlines started three new routes from Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut. The carrier now operates to 17 airports from HVN. The new destinations being served are Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, and Greenville–Spartanburg, South Carolina. The routes will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft.

June 21

Norse Atlantic Airways started its planned service between Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Norse will operate the FCO-JFK route daily using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. "The addition of this flight to New York JFK helps strengthen our direct air offer to the United States, which will see record levels during the 2023 summer season,” Aeroporti di Roma Chief Aviation Officer Ivan Bassato says in a statement. Rome is the fifth market served by Norse from JFK.

Etihad Airways opened flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Lisbon Airport (LIS). The AUH-LIS route will be operated 3X-weekly using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft configured to carry 290 passengers, including 28 in business class. “As we continue to expand our global network, we’re thrilled to be flying for the first time to Lisbon,” Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves says in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming guests to visit the historic city of Lisbon while also connecting the people of Portugal with the UAE and destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Australia." The route was originally announced as seasonal, but the airline has already decided to extend it to a year-round service “as a result of strong travel demand.”

European ULCC Wizz Air says all 11 of its aircraft based at London Luton Airport (LTN) will be Airbus A321neos by 2025. Wizz’s A321neos are configured with 239 seats in a single class. “Replacing older aircraft at our [LTN] base with the newest and more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo is part of our long-term fleet renewal strategy to reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2030,” Wizz says in a statement.

June 20

Qatar Airways launched flights between Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Trabzon Airport (TZX) in Turkey. The route will be operated 3X-weekly using an Airbus A320. TZX becomes the seventh airport in Turkey served by Qatar Airways. “Trabzon is an exciting and important new route for Qatar Airways, which solidifies our strong commitment to Turkey and delivers on the high demand for connectivity between Doha and Trabzon,” airline CEO Akbar Al Baker says. Qatar Airways will operate 58 weekly flights between DOH and Turkey during the peak of the northern hemisphere summer.

Canada’s WestJet commenced transborder service between Saskatoon Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The route will be operated 3X-weekly. "This new connectivity between Saskatoon and Minneapolis will further enhance transborder travel options for the communities we serve and stimulate vital business and tourism opportunities on both sides of the border," WestJet Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Director Jared Mikoch-Gerke says. 

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved a $1.08 billion budget for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) for the 12 months starting July 1, the largest-ever annual budget for the organization that runs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAWA anticipates revenue of over $2 billion for its 2023-24 fiscal year running through June 30, 2024, meaning it expects net revenue of around $928 billion for the 12 months. “These net revenues are available to pay debt service, fund reserves and fund capital projects,” LAWA says.