By Benjamin Pham
Avelo Airlines Forms Sweepstakes For 2021 Graduates
Covid-19 and its detrimental effects forced many airlines to overcome obstacles such as a dramatic slump in travel demand, stringent border entry requirements, reduced flight schedules and aircraft groundings. As a result, they had to quickly take action to adapt to the evolving landscape as conditions to efficiently operate flights became unfavorable. The summer travel season is officially here, but this year’s vacation season will be different as the major carriers are gradually rebounding. For instance, airlines have made progress on resuming flight operations, in some cases opening new routes, but the airlines were not the sole group to have a strenuous year before conquering challenges.
Students in the class of 2021 were abruptly forced to immediately transition from traditional in-person classes to remote learning, following the outbreak of Covid-19 last year. However, after showing perseverance and enduring the challenges that arose, many were able to graduate, which the recently launched, new carrier AveloAir recognizes as something worth celebrating with special sweepstakes.
“This has been a challenging school year for students trying to remain academically engaged while often studying remotely,” Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy, said. “Tens of thousands of students are graduating this year from schools across the communities that Avelo serves. We are inspired by the perseverance of the Class of 2021 and we can’t imagine a better graduation gift than to help fuel their inspiration to travel and explore new places.”
Air travel began its gradual upward trend once the school year and summer vacation began, so the airline can utilize this opportunity to further establish itself and build a reputation in the notable, cutthroat airline industry. The ultra-low-cost carrier – who launched inaugural flight operations in the spring – intends to award a total of 252 recent graduates, 21 from each of the 12 destinations and markets in its route network, as part of its “Grads-On-The-Go” sweepstakes.
The carrier’s sweepstakes will run from now through Jul. 20, and the eligible, winning graduates will be randomly selected by Aug. 17. Eligible entrants include any student who is 18 or older and has graduated or will graduate from high school, college or any other educational institution in 2021. Additionally, they must reside in one of the 12 markets that Avelo serves through its flight operations.
Proof of graduation may be required if the entrant is selected. The 252 winners can use their award tickets for roundtrip travel to any of the carrier’s 12 existing destinations across the Western United States, and travel must be completed by December 31, 2021. Furthermore, students can also post about graduation on social media platforms to enter a second entry.
AveloAir is one of the two newest mainline carriers in the U.S., who chose to enter the airline industry during a pandemic. The Burbank, CA-based carrier entered the market with a low-cost strategy and announced service from its Southern California base and hub to cities across the west. Moreover, in May, the airline revealed its ambitious plans to open an East Coast base in New Haven, CT, starting later this year.
“We are very excited to partner with HVN as we begin to build our East Coast operations. Our surprisingly low fares and refreshingly smooth travel experience are sure to be embraced by residents of Southern Connecticut,” Levy said. “Tweed-New Haven has enormous potential, and our first East Coast base is great news for Avelo, New Haven, East Haven and other local communities.”
Its sweepstakes targeted toward recent graduates who are younger will contribute to the airline’s push towards becoming known by more travelers and targeting a different passenger segment. Clearly, it is worth noting and observing how its ultra-low-cost strategy will come into play over the summer and the following months when the airline will eventually begin flights on the East Coast.
Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.
