Fort Myers travelers are getting a fresh reason to book direct flights north this fall. Avelo Airlines is launching twice-weekly nonstop service between Southwest Florida International Airport and Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in the Charlotte area, kicking off Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Here’s what makes this move worth your attention: Avelo will be the only carrier offering nonstop flights from Concord to Fort Myers, Tampa, and Orlando combined. That’s a significant play in a region where air travel demand keeps climbing. For Suncoast residents heading to North Carolina for family visits, business trips, or weekend getaways, a direct flight into Concord beats fighting the Charlotte Douglas International crowds every time. And for visitors coming the other way, it opens another convenient gateway straight to Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, and the broader Gulf Coast.
The airline operates Boeing Next-Generation 737s on the route, with service every Thursday and Sunday. Avelo is already building a smart strategy around mid-sized, underserved airports—they’re based at places like Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut, Wilmington Airport in Delaware, and Lakeland International Airport in Florida. Adding Concord as an operating hub makes regional sense, especially as they expand into Texas later this year with a fifth base at McKinney National Airport.
For Southwest Florida, this is another confirmation that RSW has become a major player in Florida’s aviation ecosystem. The airport now connects to more than 70 destinations across 15 carriers and set a passenger record in 2024. Avelo’s entry adds competitive pressure on fares and gives locals yet another low-cost option alongside established budget carriers like Allegiant Air and the newer Breeze Airways expansion across the state.
One quick word of caution if you’re booking: like most low-cost airlines, Avelo charges separately for carry-ons, checked bags, and seat assignments. The airline also tacks on fees for phone bookings, so stick to their website to avoid surprises. But if you’ve been paying attention to how budget airlines operate in Florida, none of that should be news by now.
The takeaway? Southwest Florida’s air travel market keeps growing, and carriers keep responding. Avelo’s bet on Fort Myers-to-Charlotte is just the latest sign that the Suncoast remains one of the country’s hottest travel markets.
