Avelo Airlines Launches First International Route from ILM to Punta Cana?

Avelo Airlines has officially launched its first scheduled commercial international service from Wilmington International Airport (ILM). This new route connects Wilmington, North Carolina, to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ). The inaugural flight on December 24, 2025, marks a significant milestone for ILM.

Pioneering International Air Service

Avelo is the first and only airline offering this nonstop service Wilmington Punta Cana. The new route operates twice weekly, flying on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It utilizes Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft for the Avelo Boeing Next-Generation 737 operations. This expansion is a key part of Avelo's broader low-cost carrier expansion strategy.

Andrew Levy, Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO, called the launch a major milestone. He noted the addition of international service offers Customers more choices. The airline aims to make travel more convenient and affordable for Wilmington-area residents.

Airport Readiness and Regulatory Support

The launch of the ILM first international route required extensive preparation. ILM Airport Director Jeff Bourk thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP supported preparing the facility for scheduled commercial international service. ILM has a separate International Terminal with a full-service Federal Inspection Station (FIS). This facility helps clear international flights, including the new Dominican Republic flights.

Avelo’s Growing Presence and Reliability

Avelo established the Wilmington International Airport base on April 3, 2025. Two Boeing Next-Generation 737s are currently based at the airport. This represents a major investment in the Coastal North Carolina air service market. Since June 2022, Avelo has flown over 580,000 Customers from ILM. The airline now serves 15 nonstop destinations from the airport.

This new route enhances the overall Avelo Airlines route network. Avelo now serves 41 cities across 15 states, Puerto Rico, and three international countries. These international locations are Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

Industry-Leading Performance

Avelo is known for its industry-leading reliability, a core part of its brand. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in airline on-time performance in the U.S. Data from Anuvu showed an 83.9% on-time arrival rate. This outperformed the industry average of 77.6% for the year. It also achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate for the second consecutive year. This focus on reliability is crucial for a growing airline in the competitive commercial aviation news market. [cite: 2, 5, https://flying.flights]

Passenger Experience and Future Outlook

The airline offers various seating options, including Standard, Stretch, and Stretch+ seating. Stretch+ seating features a blocked middle seat for added space and comfort. Families benefit from a policy seating children 14 and under with an accompanying adult at no cost. Avelo is set to become the first U.S. airline to fly the Embraer 195-E2 in 2027. This order for up to 100 new aircraft signals aggressive future growth plans.