Travel and Tourism
Avelo Airlines Expands Lakeland Service with New Nonstop Flights to Nashville
LAKELAND, Fla. (FNN) – Avelo Airlines is soaring to new heights with the launch of its new nonstop route from Lakeland International Airport (LAL) to Nashville International Airport (BNA). Starting today, travelers can enjoy direct flights to Music City twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. To celebrate the new route, one-way fares start at just $45, available for booking at AveloAir.com.
Convenient & Affordable Air Travel from Central Florida
Avelo Airlines has rapidly expanded its presence in Lakeland, flying nearly 60,000 customers on over 500 flights since its inaugural service. The addition of Nashville marks the airline’s seventh nonstop destination from LAL, joining:
- Charlotte / Concord, N.C. (USA)
- Boston / Manchester, N.H. (MHT)
- New Haven, Conn. (HVN)
- Philadelphia / Delaware Valley (ILG)
- Rochester, N.Y. (ROC)
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
- Wilmington, N.C. (ILM)
Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing an easy and convenient travel experience. “Our Lakeland base offers Central Floridians easy access to air travel, especially for customers who value the convenience of a small hometown airport. With today’s launch of service to Nashville and our six other nonstop destinations, travelers can enjoy more time and freedom to explore wherever their journey takes them.”
Lakeland Leaders Celebrate Expansion
City officials praised Avelo’s continued investment in Lakeland’s commercial air travel:
- Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz: “We’re excited to see Avelo Airlines take off with such success! With strong community support, commercial air travel will continue growing at Lakeland Linder International Airport, and Avelo is leading the way with even more exciting destinations like Nashville.”
- Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse: “Avelo is spreading its wings in Lakeland, and I, like many residents, am thrilled about this new route to Nashville. We look forward to seeing Avelo’s continued growth in our community.”
- Lakeland International Airport Director Kris Hallstrand: “We are excited to welcome travelers from Nashville to Lakeland and Polk County, where they can experience all the wonderful attractions and opportunities our region has to offer.”
Boosting Central Florida Tourism & Economy
Avelo’s growing network is a major win for Central Florida’s tourism industry. Visit Central Florida Director of Marketing Mark Jackson highlighted the economic benefits:
- Increased tourism brings more revenue to Polk County businesses
- Nearly 42,000 jobs in Polk County were supported by tourism last year
- For every 159 visitors, one job is created
- Tourism savings: Each Polk County household benefits from nearly $1,000 in tax savings
“Thanks to Avelo Airlines, it is easier for travelers from around the country to experience Central Florida. We welcome Nashville to Polk County, where the real Florida magic happens,” Jackson added.
With affordable fares, convenient flight schedules, and easy access to major destinations, Avelo Airlines continues to reshape travel in Central Florida.
_______________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Four-day conference at the Orange County Convention Center features leadership training, educational workshops and an exposition showcasing law enforcement products and services.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Police chiefs and public safety professionals from around the world are gathering in Orlando for the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exposition, running Oct. 24–27 at the Orange County Convention Center.
According to organizers, the annual event draws more than 16,000 public safety professionals for training, networking and opportunities to explore developments in law enforcement. The four-day conference also features an exposition with more than 600 vendors showcasing products and services for police agencies. Those figures describe the event’s advertised scale rather than a confirmed attendance count. IACP Conference 2026
Photo by Andrew Jeng / Florida National News
Training and leadership development
The conference brings police executives and other law enforcement professionals together to exchange ideas, strengthen professional connections and explore resources for their agencies.
Its programming centers on education, networking and exhibit hall learning, giving participants opportunities to discuss policing practices and examine equipment and services used in public safety. IACP Conference 2026
Photo by Andrew Jeng / Florida National News
Monday’s schedule
Monday, Oct. 26, includes educational workshops and committee, section and division meetings scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the published conference schedule.
A general assembly is scheduled for 10–11:30 a.m., followed by a Speaker Series session from 2–3 p.m. The exposition hall is scheduled to open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chiefs Night is scheduled for 7:30–11 p.m. at Universal Islands of Adventure.
Photo by Andrew Jeng / Florida National News
Conference concludes Tuesday
Tuesday, Oct. 27, features additional workshops and organizational meetings, with a closing general assembly scheduled for 10–11:30 a.m.
The exposition hall is scheduled to open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An annual banquet reception and dinner, requiring a ticket, is scheduled for 6–9:30 p.m. at the convention center.
The published schedule is subject to change.
About the association
Founded in 1893, the IACP has more than 35,000 members in over 180 countries, according to its website. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, supports the policing profession through advocacy, research, outreach and education.
Its membership includes law enforcement professionals of all ranks and civilian leaders working across the criminal justice system. International Association of Chiefs of Police
Terminal upgrades, parking projects and international connections mark the authority’s fiscal year review.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority highlighted terminal improvements, expanded international connections and parking projects during its fiscal 2026 review, while its board adopted changes to a local business program and announced a new statewide small business initiative.
The updates affect Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, which GOAA operates.
“We are undertaking an ambitious effort to redefine what it means to deliver a world-class airport experience,” GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said in the authority’s announcement.
“As we welcome more visitors, more airlines, more routes, and new programs, our responsibility is to elevate every part of the journey — making it more welcoming, intuitive, and connected.”
A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Terminal Improvements Focus on Connections and Families
Among the completed projects was an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving walkways connecting Orlando International Airport’s train station and Terminal C.
Terminal C also opened a new wing serving gates 250–254, providing additional capacity and becoming the new home for Virgin Atlantic’s airport operations.
Three new Family Zones — one in each terminal — offer spaces for children and families to play, read and recharge. GOAA also highlighted improvements to directional signs along airport roads, in parking areas and throughout the terminals.
Parking Expansion and $40 Million Improvement Program
GOAA reported progress on a parking guidance system at Terminal C, with phased activation across all garages planned through mid-2027.
Dedicated employee parking areas are intended to free additional spaces for travelers. Planning is also underway for two new garages expected to add 8,000 public parking spaces over the next few years.
Separately, the authority’s $40 million Beautiful Airports Program targets safety, functionality and appearance across garages, terminals and other airport areas.
Aviation Investments and International Service
The fiscal year review highlighted a $50 million investment by dnata, a $26 million redevelopment by Signature Aviation at Orlando International Airport and groundbreaking for Sky Harbour’s $40 million campus at Orlando Executive Airport.
International service developments included ZIPAIR’s nonstop passenger charter flights between Orlando and Tokyo and Iberia’s launch of nonstop service to Madrid.
GOAA described ZIPAIR’s service as the first passenger charter connection between Florida and the Asia-Pacific region.
Business Policy Changes Broaden Eligibility
The board adopted revisions to GOAA’s Local Developing Business program following research, town halls and discussions with internal experts.
The changes increase the allowable personal net worth threshold and clarify how assets are excluded from that calculation, including primary residence equity, business equity, retirement assets and certain nonliquid holdings.
Business size standards were also revised to account for inflation and increased operating costs. The announcement did not specify the updated financial thresholds.
A new Small Business program will complement the local program and extend eligibility to qualifying businesses throughout Florida. Under the announced framework, participating businesses must fall within 50% of the applicable U.S. Small Business Administration size standard.
GOAA said detailed guidelines for both programs would be posted on its website. Those guidelines will provide businesses with the information needed to assess eligibility.
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