Travel notes: Avelo passenger loads and a new baggage system

The route site separately  reported that 78% of seats on Avelo flights from Wilmington were filled. That's close to the 80% that some see as a break-even point for airlines.

After quickly dropping Atlanta and the Charlotte outer suburb of Concord, Avelo had no ILG routes in the bottom boarding tier.

The boarding numbers came before the controversial decision to operate ICE Air immigration flights from an Arizona airport. We'll see the impact on boardings in the coming months.

The boarding percentage  also shows that Avelo has shown staying power with its mainly twice-weekly service from the Delaware airport.

Enilria notes that high boarding numbers alone don't necessarily mean a route is profitable. However, with fuel prices remaining relatively stable and few signs of a competitive response from Philadelphia carriers,  it's reasonable to assume Wilmington is not a drag on the airline's bottom line.

Further evidence comes from Avelo maintaining its flight schedule from ILG despite diverting two of its jets to ICE Air duty. Avelo's fleet now totals 22 Boeing 737s.

A battle with rival Breeze in Connecticut put a dent in the bottom line, with both invading each other's turf in Hartford and New Haven. Both young airlines have since scaled back their operations.

There are also signs of a softening travel market. The above two developments contributed to the ICE Air decision that has drawn protests here and elsewhere. 

Avelo earlier approached investors for $100 million in funding to support expansion and cover losses. No significant service cuts have been reported recently.

A baggage conveyor at ILG

Wilmington Airport revealed in a social media photo that the expansion and renovation work project includes a baggage conveyor "carousel" system. 

The old school baggage handling, while efficient, has not been a strong point at the airport, especially with Avelo flights, which carry upwards of 190 passengers when full.

The $10 million expansion is expected to be completed in time for the holiday and winter travel period.

 Meanwhile, last year's parking lot expansion is working out. As of July 4, fewer than 300  of the more than 1,300 spaces were available. Helping to fill the lots is Avelo's expanded schedule and American Airlines' Landline coach service, which allows passengers to go through TSA screening at a quieter airport.

More Lone Star state service for Avelo? 

McKinney, Texas, is now on Avelo's radar screen.

The northeast outer suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area wants to bring commercial service to its airport.

After a back-and-forth exchange on a freedom of information request,  Avelo was identified in documents  as the airline negotiating with the city.

Avelo flies to Houston and Dallas from New Haven. The chances of an ILG-McKenney route are remote. American has its hub and headquarters at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and would retaliate.

Still, fares are on the high side to Dallas from Philadelphia International Airport. Southwest isn't much of a factor, since it only operates weekend nonstops from Philly.