GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A new airline is coming to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) with nonstop routes to North Carolina and Florida.

Avelo Airlines announced it will start a service with nonstop routes to North Carolina’s Research Triangle via Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport.

Avelo is the only airline offering this nonstop service between Grand Rapids and these two locations, according to a release.

The airline will operate these routes twice weekly on Fridays and Mondays.

Flights to Lakeland International Airport in Florida begin on June 13, while flights to Raleigh-Durham begin May 23, and both routes will utilize Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft.

Officials with the fairly new airline, only in operation since 2021, hope the new service out of GRR will serve as a cheaper, more convenient travel option for travelers.

“Grand Rapids has been on the Avelo map for a while, and we’ve just been waiting for the right opportunity to come in and offer our really low cost, affordable and convenient nonstop flights. We know that there’s a big connection between Lakeland, Florida, between the Detroit Tigers and then the Whitecaps here in Grand Rapids. Also, just any time you can get to Florida and not deal with the hustle and bustle that is MCO and some of those busier airports, is always a gift,” Courtney Goff, Avelo communications manager said.

Avelo also has service out of Traverse City, Michigan. Travelers can book flights here.