Houston Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier Growing Steadily

Houston-based Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) Avelo Airlines has announced plans to pay its pilots an hourly-rate in excess of those offered by all regional carriers and the majority of competing ULCCs.

The increase, made public on 10 October 2023, is the fifth pay-raise to be lavished upon Avelo pilots since the airline commenced operations in April 2021.

Avelo’s pilot corps currently numbers nearly 170 aviators and grows, monthly, by dint of direct-entry PICs (Pilot In Command/captains) and SICs (Second In Command/first officer). In 2024 Avelo expects to expand its extant 16-aircraft fleet by at least five additional Boeing 737NG narrow-body jets. Moreover, the airline is making ready to open a new state-of-the-art pilot and flight attendant training center in Orlando, Florida.

Avelo Airlines chairman and CEO Andrew Levy set forth: “The pay increase we are announcing today, combined with the other exceptional benefits and quality of life Avelo offers, will continue to make Avelo a very attractive destination for pilots. Our pilots play a critical role in Avelo’s future, and we look forward to welcoming many more of these outstanding aviation professionals to our airline in the months and years ahead.”

Per the improved pay-scale, Avelo’s first-year PIC hourly pay-rate starts at $240 and tops out, after 12-years of service, at $298. The first-year hourly pay rate for SICs starts at $131 and tops out—again, at year-12—at $201. Additionally, Avelo offers a 125-percent incentive to pilots flying 75-or-more hours monthly.

Avelo Airlines Chief Operating Officer Captain Greg Baden stated: “At Avelo Airlines, pilots hire pilots. This is an exciting opportunity for both direct-entry captains and young professional aviators to get in on the ground floor of an incredible journey as they continue their careers. The quality of life Avelo offers pilots is second to none, and with the lowest flight cancellation rate and the second best on-time performance year-to-date among U.S. carriers, our pilots get home every day on-time.”

FMI: www.aveloair.com