Avelo Airlines says it’s not close to deal with St. Augustine airport (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) — Although St. Johns County Airport Authority board members have expressed some amount of interest in having Avelo Airlines start commercial service, there’s no imminent agreement, according to the airline.
In a statement released this week, Avelo said it is very interested in flying through Northeast Florida Regional Airport but said that the recent board decision not to accept a contract presented last month jeopardizes future business.
At the special Feb. 27 Airport Authority meeting, board members expressed concerns over an agreement negotiated by Executive Director Ed Wuellner, who had orchestrated agreements with other airlines in recent years.
They voted to have board member Dennis Clarke work with attorney Chad Roberts on reviewing the details of the deal.
But not much progress has been made, according to Avelo.
“Unfortunately, the airport’s Board of Directors rejected the previously agreed terms between Avelo and the airport,” the airline’s statement said. “Currently, we have not received a new proposal from the airport authority to review.
“As such, Avelo is preparing to move forward announcing other markets in St. Augustine’s place. However, Avelo remains interested in serving the St. Augustine community in the future and we are ready to evaluate the airport’s proposal when it is ready. To suggest we are close or have started negotiating again, is a stretch.”
Avelo had been ready to announce a total of nine flights per week between St. Augustine and the following destinations: New Haven, Connecticut; Wilmington, Delaware; and Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.
Since declining to authorize the deal with Avelo, the Airport Authority relieved Wuellner of his duties. Wuellner, who has worked at the airport for almost three decades, has a contract that runs into June.