Early Saturday morning, January 27th, MBN, "hit the road", (so to speak), heading upstairs at the Capital Region International Airport to near Gate 9 on the morning of the 2024 season's inaugural international flight to Cancun.  

This is interview 2 of 2 on the occasion.

Watch Nicole and Chris discuss this year's kickoff event and all the options through the airport, Apple Leisure Group and the new synergy with Avelo Airlines, in the YouTube video shared below:

Chris Holman welcomes back Nicole Noll-Williams, President and CEO, Capital Region Airport Authority. More information from the airport, Apple Leisure Group and Avelo is below!

Avelo Airlines’ First International Service Takes Flight  From Lansing Through Apple Vacations Partnership   

LANSING, Mich.; Jan. 27, 2024 – Avelo Airlines’ first international service takes flight this weekend from Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in partnership with Apple Vacations. The partnership’s new scheduled public charter service will serve three international destinations from LAN.  

 Avelo and Apple Vacations offer nonstop flights and vacation packages between LAN and three tropical international destinations: Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic beginning tomorrow, Jan. 27 through April 3, 2024. Booking information and specific flight dates and times can be found at AppleVacations.com.  

• Beginning Jan. 27: Lansing to Cancun International Airport (CUN) – three times weekly on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays 
• Beginning Feb. 2: Lansing to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) – one time weekly on Fridays 
• Beginning Jan. 28: Lansing to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) – two times weekly on Sundays and Thursdays   

Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said, “These three tropical destinations Avelo will operate for Apple Vacations from Lansing are the perfect debut of Avelo’s international service. We look forward to offering the same reliable and friendly experience to Apple Vacations’ Customers that we’ve been providing Avelo’s Capital Region Customers since we took flight at LAN 15 months ago. Apple Vacations’ selection of Avelo to operate their flights to these three popular destinations is a testament to positive reputation we’ve built in Michigan and across the country.”   

Additionally, Avelo offers twice-weekly scheduled service between LAN and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service between LAN and MCO. Nonstop service to Orlando can be booked at AveloAir.com.   

Since Avelo began service at LAN on October 26, 2022, the airline has flown over 30,000 Customers on nearly 300 flights. Avelo also leads LAN in reliability with a 100% completion factor, meaning there have been no Avelo cancellations at LAN since the airline inaugurated served there 15 months ago.  

Capital Region Airport Authority President and CEO Nicole Noll-Williams said, “We are thrilled that Apple Vacations is back at LAN for our 2024 international season. And we couldn’t be more excited that Apple selected Avelo Airlines to operate these flights with their exceptional track record for reliable and friendly service. These nonstop flights to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica for 2024 are another reminder that LAN is a gateway to popular vacation destinations around the world – and it’s not too late to book your trip!”   

America’s Most Convenient Airline 

Avelo was founded to Inspire Travel by saving its Customers time and money. Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown 4.2 million Customers on over 30,000 flights. Today, Avelo serves 43 destinations in 23 states and Puerto Rico.  

Along the way, Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Every Avelo flight is nonstop, and at least one airport on every Avelo flight is a small, easy to use airport – making every Avelo journey easier and more enjoyable.   

Avelo is distinguished by its reliability. In 2023, Avelo achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate and the second-best on-time performance in the U.S. airline industry.  

Avelo Customers can always change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 13 and under will always be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost.  

Additionally, Avelo offers advanced seat assignments for sale. One third of its seats are extra leg room seats, ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches, offering a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin.  

About Avelo Airlines 
Avelo Airlines was founded with a simple purpose — to Inspire Travel. The airline offers Customers time and money-saving convenience, low everyday fares and a refreshingly smooth, caring and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 43 popular destinations across the United States, including its six bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom.  

LAST May It Was Announced That Nonstop flights will be flown by Avelo Airlines from Lansing Airport to Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay  -- check out that original information release!

LANSING, Mich.— ALG Vacations (ALGV) announced they are returning their international service to the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) for the 2024 season. ALGV and its brands Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions, CheapCaribbean.com and BeachBound are now taking reservations for nonstop flights from LAN to three very popular destinations: Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The nonstop service begins Jan. 27, 2024, and runs through April 8, 2024. 

The flights will be operated by Avelo Airlines utilizing spacious and comfortable Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Avelo inaugurated service at LAN last October with exclusive nonstop service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Thursdays and Sundays. 

“We are so thrilled that ALG Vacations will be back to LAN in 2024, and this year brings even more incentives to book early and lock in your reservations for your warm-weather getaway,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA). “These nonstop flights to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica for 2024 are another reminder that LAN is a gateway to popular vacation destinations around the world.” 

Beginning Jan. 27, 2024, nonstop flights from LAN to Cancun will depart three times weekly – Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. Nonstop flights from LAN to Punta Cana will depart two times weekly – Sundays and Thursdays. Finally, beginning Feb. 2, 2024, nonstop flights from LAN to Montego Bay will depart once per week on Fridays. Preferred Perks Plus or Premium Class reservations are also offered. 

“We are excited to expand Avelo’s presence at LAN,” said Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “Our partnership with ALG Vacations is a powerful testament to the affordable, reliable and convenient experience Avelo has been providing our Mid-Michigan Customers since we took flight here last October. We look forward to providing the same caring and friendly experience on the flights we’ll be operating for ALG Vacations to these three popular international destinations.” 

“Lansing and the surrounding region have continued to be a successful market for vacation companies like our Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, and Travel Impressions brands for many years, and we’re excited to bring this service back to LAN for 2024,” said Ray Snisky, group president, ALGV. “We are grateful that both vacationers and travel advisors alike have helped make this a significant winter gateway to popular vacation destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and we are pleased to continue service to Jamaica for 2024.” 

“The return of our international service with ALGV for 2024 is great news for both LAN and the entire mid-Michigan region,” said John Shaski, CRAA board chairman. “These international flights draw in passengers from throughout Michigan and our neighboring states, even Canada, and provide convenient and direct access to sunny beach destinations when Michiganders need it the most. Year after year, this air service helps support the local economy and continues to be in high demand. It’s never too early to make reservations for a winter-weather escape!” 

For additional information visit www.FlyLansing.com, or contact your local travel agent to book your trip. 

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The Capital Region Airport Authority owns and operates the Capital Region International Airport (LAN), Mason Jewett Field Airport (TEW) and Port Lansing – a global logistics center and mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry. The Capital Region International Airport is an important asset in the mid-Michigan community, driving $1 billion annually in economic impact with 700 people employed at the airport. The airport welcomes more than 352,000 visitors each year to connect throughout the country and the world. In addition to providing corporate and general aviation, the Capital Region International Airport moves 63.5 million pounds of cargo annually and is one of two airports in the state with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station. Port Lansing, mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry and home to Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #275 covering eight counties, also features a 48,000-square-foot cargo facility and container freight station, and 425 acres of ready-to-develop land. For more information, go to FlyLansing.com and visit the airport’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts.

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