Ramirez: Avelo Airlines coming to Brownsville is 'huge'

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Asked how big a deal it is that Avelo Airlines chose Brownsville for its first flights in Texas, Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez said: “It’s huge.”From May, the Houston-based low-cost carrier will be offering $69 for a one-way ticket from Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport to Orlando, Florida, and $89 for a one-way ticket from Brownsville to Burbank, California.“First and foremost, our community will have a low-cast carrier. How many families have lost that opportunity because of the cost of the flight? Many, many, many,” Ramirez said. “Giving options, and giving choice to a Brownsville community with disparate socio-economic levels, it is hugely important. It is an important goal for the City of Brownsville and for our airport.”Ramirez added: “It’s just a great moment in our history. Here you have the first airline recruited after the construction of our new 91,000 square-foot airport.”In the attached podcast, Ramirez is joined by Bryant Walker, assistant city manager and aviation administrator for the City of Brownsville, and Travis Crist, head of marketing for Avelo.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.