(WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ILG) Avelo Airlines has not added a third jet at Wilmington Airport, and there’s no verified move to expand flight days at the Delaware base as of September 16, 2025. The airline continues to run a steady schedule from ILG with a focus on reliability, affordable fares, and flexible routes. Local officials and the carrier both signal confidence in the market, but they’ve made no public statement confirming new based aircraft or a major jump in daily operations at the airport.
Current Operations at ILG

Avelo Airlines currently has two aircraft based at Wilmington Airport (ILG). Airline and airport updates through early 2025 kept that number unchanged, and no later announcement shows a third jet joining the fleet at ILG.
Since launching ILG service in February 2023, Avelo has completed more than 3,800 flights and carried over 530,000 customers through the airport. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance in the United States 🇺🇸, which helps explain strong local loyalty.
The ILG network now includes 14 nonstop destinations, covering five states and Puerto Rico. The carrier has used pop-up flights for special events—such as limited service to New Orleans—and revived seasonal routes like Nashville and Myrtle Beach when demand returned. This flexible approach lets Avelo match aircraft time with real interest while keeping costs low.
In March 2025, the carrier announced 13 new routes and three new cities across its broader network. Only one of those changes touched Wilmington: a new twice-weekly service to Jacksonville (JAX) that started on May 23, 2025. Beyond that, there’s no evidence of a broader jump in frequency or flight days from ILG.
Avelo has also extended its East Coast schedule through mid-November 2025, with flights bookable through November 18, 2025. This extension is network-wide and not a sign of new aircraft or an expanded ILG timetable on its own.
The Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA), which operates ILG, expects smoother passenger flows now that terminal upgrades wrapped up in September 2025. But as of today, there’s still no official plan to base a third jet at Wilmington.
Outlook and Community Impact
Inside the region, Avelo’s Wilmington base is more than a flight board—it’s a jobs engine and a new gateway that put commercial air service back on the map.
- As of early 2025, the base supported 95 crew members in Wilmington, reflecting the airline’s bet on a market that was long underserved.
- The terminal refresh gives passengers a cleaner path from curb to gate and could support more activity if demand grows.
- Even so, the airline is taking a careful approach on capacity at ILG.
Avelo’s CEO, Andrew Levy, has emphasized the company’s approach: keep fares low, keep operations on time, and fine-tune routes based on what customers actually use. That mix has performed well in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley area, where a smaller, easier airport is a strong draw.
DRBA leaders have praised the airline’s quick route adjustments and attention to local demand patterns. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, that steady pattern—rather than fast expansion—fits Avelo’s broader focus on sustainable growth and maintaining top-tier reliability.
For the region, stable capacity still brings wins:
- More than half a million customers flown since 2023
- Local tourism, airport concessions, and jobs supported
- Strong on-time performance reducing costs from missed connections and lost time
- Competitive price pressure on nearby larger hubs
For Avelo, holding at two based aircraft can protect the brand’s punctuality. Adding a third jet would increase seats and options, but it would also raise costs and risk if demand dips. With the network still growing elsewhere and new national routes rolling out, Wilmington may remain a measured play until data supports another step-up in capacity.
What Travelers Should Expect
- No third based aircraft at ILG as of September 16, 2025. Operations continue with two jets.
- Steady flight days with targeted additions—the Jacksonville service is twice weekly; seasonal and event pop-ups may appear.
- Book through November 18, 2025 on the East Coast schedule; this is a network-wide extension, not an ILG-specific buildout.
- Strong on-time record likely to continue, given the airline’s careful fleet allocation and track record.
Practical tips for travelers:
- Book early in the season for the best fares.
- Sign up for fare alerts if you depend on a specific route.
- Watch for pop-up flights tied to events or holidays.
- Check schedules weekly—new seats sometimes appear as the airline refines rotations.
One-way deals have started as low as $37–$42 depending on route and season. The airline typically announces new routes via press releases, then opens sales with clear start dates and weekly frequencies.
Avelo’s Wilmington story shows how a low-cost carrier can revive a small airport without rushing growth. The base stands on three simple pillars: low fares, convenience, and reliability.
Guidance for Local Businesses and Officials
- Plan around the known schedule while monitoring seasonal returns (e.g., Myrtle Beach, Nashville).
- If passenger loads rise after the terminal upgrade, added frequency could follow—but no such promise has been made.
- DRBA officials continue to point travelers and businesses to airport updates tied to the terminal project and operations at ILG.
For authoritative airport and operator information, check the Delaware River & Bay Authority: https://www.drba.net.
Bottom Line
With two airplanes, 14 nonstop destinations, and more than 3,800 flights already completed, Avelo has earned a following at ILG. For now, plans for a third jet at Wilmington remain unconfirmed. If demand keeps rising post-upgrade and the carrier maintains its top on-time ranking, more capacity could make sense. Until then, travelers can count on steady service, targeted route tweaks, and a continued push to keep flights running on time at Wilmington Airport.
This Article in a Nutshell
Avelo Airlines maintains two based aircraft at Wilmington Airport (ILG) and has not confirmed a third jet as of September 16, 2025. Operating from ILG since February 2023, Avelo has flown over 3,800 flights and transported more than 530,000 passengers. The carrier posted the top U.S. on-time performance in 2024 and serves 14 nonstop destinations from ILG, using pop-up and seasonal services to match demand. In March 2025 Avelo announced 13 new routes across its network; only Jacksonville (twice-weekly) affected ILG starting May 23, 2025. Terminal upgrades completed in September 2025 could support growth, but Avelo is taking a measured approach to adding capacity and flight days at Wilmington.