Avelo Airlines to Withdraw From Connecticut in January 2026, Ending Flights to Cancun, Punta Cana, and More in the Caribbean: All You Need to Know

Avelo Airlines has announced plans to end all operations at Bradley International Airport (BDL) starting January 2026, marking the end of its service to three major sun destinations, Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The decision means that Connecticut residents will lose their only direct air links to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, significantly impacting both tourism and outbound leisure travel.https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/avelo-bradley-jamaica-cancun-punta-ct-21116261.php​

The carrier’s final flights will take place as follows:

• Cancun (CUN): January 3, 2026
• Punta Cana (PUJ): January 5, 2026
• Montego Bay (MBJ): January 25, 2026

Once these routes are discontinued, Avelo will cease all operations at Bradley Airport, closing its brief tenure in Connecticut’s second-largest airport.

Avelo Cites Revenue Challenges Behind Exit

According to the airline’s official statement, the decision was guided by financial performancerather than passenger demand. Avelo noted that the three routes did not generate sufficient revenue to justify ongoing operations, despite the destinations’ popularity. The withdrawal, described by the airline as a “business-based decision,” follows months of network restructuring, including route reductions across the US as the carrier focuses on sustainable profitability.https://www.thestreet.com/economy/low-cost-airline-to-exit-regional-airport-refunds-available​

Avelo’s Communications Manager said the carrier is realigning its network to improve overall efficiency, citing rising operational costs and lower-than-expected load factors. All affected passengers will receive full refunds, and the airline assured continued service to Connecticut residents through Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), where Avelo serves over twenty-five US destinations across the East Coast, Midwest, and the Caribbean.https://www.aveloair.com/destinations/new-haven-ct​

Connecticut Airport Authority Responds

TheConnecticut Airport Authority (CAA), which oversees Bradley International Airport, expressedsurprise and disappointmentover Avelo’s decision. Official statements from the CAA suggest that the airline’s exit wasunexpectedgiven strong passenger numbers and financial incentives provided to the carrier during its first year of operations.

CAA officials described Avelo’s termination of service, particularly to Montego Bay, as “inexplicable”, noting that demand and load factors were relatively strong throughout 2025. The Authority confirmed that Avelo had previously operated rent-free at Bradley for one year under an airport incentive program designed to stimulate international connectivity.https://ctairports.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FY24-CAA-Financial-Stmt-Audit_FINAL.pdf​

Additionally, local media reports indicate that Avelo had requested to forgo remaining rent obligations until its final departure in January 2026, a request denied by the CAA. “After significant investment to support Avelo’s route success, the Authority cannot relieve the airline of financial commitments it previously agreed to,” the CAA reportedly stated.https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/avelo-bradley-jamaica-cancun-punta-ct-21116261.php​

Routes Lost: Impact on Tourism and Connectivity

The termination of these three seasonal routes is expected toimpact leisure travelsignificantly between Connecticut and key Caribbean destinations.

• Montego Bay: The only direct flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, serving both tourists and the local diaspora, will end, forcing travellers to connect via New York, Boston, or Philadelphia.
• Punta Cana: A popular winter sun destination for New England leisure travellers will lose non-stop access during peak season.
• Cancun: Once a cornerstone of Avelo’s Latin America network, the route offered one of Bradley’s few direct international beach connections.

According to theConnecticut Airport Authority, discussions are already underway withalternative carriersto restore some or all of these routes bymid‑2026. Several airlines have reportedly expressed interest in operatingseasonal or year-round servicesto fill the market gap, though specific carriers have not yet been named.https://www.connecticutvisitorguide.com/avelo-airlines-stops-service-at-bradley-airport-in-connecticut/​

For travellers inHartford‑Springfield, Avelo’s departure meansfewer nonstop vacation options, which could shift international leisure traffic toBoston Logan International Airport (BOS)andNew York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports.

Avelo’s Broader Restructuring and East Coast Focus

The exit from Bradley International comes amid broader restructuring efforts across Avelo’s network. The Houston-based low-cost carrier has been gradually downsizing operations in unprofitable markets, including its Burbank, California hub, which it will vacate in December 2025.https://www.thestreet.com/economy/low-cost-airline-to-exit-regional-airport-refunds-available​

To offset financial losses, Avelo recently placed an order for up to hundred Embraer E195‑E2 aircraft, signaling a strategic shift away from a single model fleet. These smaller, fuel-efficient jets allow for right‑sizing routes and improved load factors while maintaining operational flexibility. The new aircraft are expected to enter service in 2026, helping the airline reduce overhead and improve fuel efficiency across its East Coast network.

Avelo continues to invest heavily inTweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), its primary base in the region. From HVN, the airline operates frequent flights toFlorida, Puerto Rico, and the Carolinas, in addition tonew seasonal services to Chicago, Nashville, and Savannah.https://www.aveloair.com/new-routes​

Industry Context and Regional Travel Implications

Bradley International Airport (BDL), located inWindsor Locks, serves theHartford–Springfield metropolitan areaand is recognized asConnecticut’s largest commercial airport. It handled approximately6.7 million passengers in 2024, according to the CAA’s annual report.https://ctairports.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FY24-CAA-Financial-Stmt-Audit_FINAL.pdf​

The loss of Avelo’s Caribbean routes will reduce BDL’s international flight portfolio, leaving Aer Lingus (to Dublin) and Breeze Airways (to Las Vegas and key US destinations) as primary expansion carriers. However, airport officials remain optimistic that partnerships and future bids could attract new Caribbean and Latin American providers.

TheNew England tourism sectormay also see a ripple effect, as the removed routes previously supportedconnectivity for holiday packages from Connecticut to Caribbean resorts. Tour operators specializing inall-inclusive vacation packagesto Jamaica and the Dominican Republic could face an initial setback, though many industry analysts expect replacement service announcements ahead of the next winter travel season.

Final Flights and Passenger Support

Avelo Airlines’ final operations from Bradleywill run through January 25, 2026. The airline has confirmed thatall passengers booked on affected flightsbeyond those dates will becontacted directly and refunded automatically, withfull reimbursement processed within five to seven business days.https://www.connecticutvisitorguide.com/avelo-airlines-stops-service-at-bradley-airport-in-connecticut/​

Customers wishing to continue flying with Avelo are encouraged torebook from Tweed-New Haven Airport, where the airline plans to increase weekend frequencies toFlorida and Puerto Ricofrom early 2026.

For Bradley-based travellers, however, Avelo’s exit marks the end ofdirect low-cost leisure connectivityto some of the region’s most visited tropical destinations.

Looking Ahead: Connecticut Eyes Route Revival

While the carrier’s exit represents a loss forConnecticut’s international air market, theConnecticut Airport Authorityremains proactive. Officials have emphasized continued negotiations with carriers to fill the gap left by Avelo and reaffirmed long-term plans togrow Bradley’s route network, emphasizingCaribbean and Latin American linksin its future priorities.

As Connecticut looks to maintain its position as a convenient international gateway for New England travellers, the state’s aviation and tourism officials remain focused on rebuilding seasonal connectivity, ensuring residents can once again reach sunshine destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay without layovers in the near future.

Image Credit: Avelo Airlines Inc.

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