Avelo Airlines has significantly increased its flights out of Lakeland Linder International Airport, and now it’s looking to grow its physical presence.
On Monday, Lakeland commissioners are being asked to approve the purchase of two prefabricated, modular office buildings for Avelo’s use at the cost of $277,523.60.
“We’re required to provide a certain amount of leased space for Avelo to accommodate their operations at the airport,” Deputy City Manager Rob Hernandez said at Friday’s morning agenda study. “As you know, we are space constrained at the facility.”
(This story was changed to include more photos.)
Avelo gave the city notice in August of its need for exclusive-use facilities. Under the contract signed between Lakeland and the airline in December 2023 , the city is required to provide a 3,500-square-foot maintenance storage facility, 500-square-foot maintenance office and 850-square-foot operations office for its use.
The notice came roughly two weeks after Avelo announced it was launching seven new routes out of Lakeland Linder in July , including popular San Juan, and planned to make the airport one of its hubs.