note
Originally owned by Red Lion Inn parent, TEM operated as Casino Express flying gambling junkets to its Elko Casino. It received CAB authority on June 27, 1989 to begin charter service, however it actually started flying in 1987, using Spirit of America Airlines as a direct air carrier. The airline was sold in July 2005 to CXP Management LLC and Avion Group, an Icelandic firm which also owned Air Atlanta Icelandic and Excel Airways. On October 8, its trade name was changed from Casino Express to Xtra Airways. The airline expanded its fleet, and began operating contract charters. In October 2006 XL Leisure Group acquired a controlling interest in Avion's airline holdings. After the September 2008 bankruptcy of XL, its stake in TEM was sold to CXP Management in April 2009. Then, in October 2009, 49% of TEM was sold to Air Atlanta Icelandic. On June 4, 2014, TEM filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. It exited bankruptcy after being sold to AerLine Holdings LLC (part of AerSale Inc.) which also owns Songbird Airways. On March 1, 2018, the business along with all but one of its airplanes was acquired by Swift Air LLC. Xtra suspended operations at the end of May. In order to facilitate the sale of its FAA and DOT certificates, it resumed operations in June 2019, operating subservices for Swift Air and Cayman Airways as well as sports charters. In August 2018 the airline was purchased by an investor group, headed by Andrew Levy, co-founder of Allegiant Air. The new owners planned to launch scheduled services on secondary routes. The airline's name was changed to Avelo Airlines, and scheduled flights began on April 28, 2021.
founded - demised (age)
July 20 1987 - present (38years)
headquarters
5847 San Felipe St, Suite 1900, Houston, TX
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (21)
