Avelo Airlines plans to stop Redding-Burbank service in August

Redding is losing air service to Hollywood-Burbank, a popular destination for upstate families who have often replaced flights with trips to Universal Studios or Disneyland.

Avelo Airlines spokeswoman Madison Jones told the Record Searchlight Tuesday afternoon that service will end Aug. 26.

“We recently learned that the business partner supporting Avelo’s airport operations at Redding Regional Airport (RDD) will no longer serve RDD,” Jones said in part in an emailed statement. “This decision also allows us to better utilize our resources elsewhere in the Avelo system.”

The announcement follows Tuesday’s Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting, where Jared Culver, general manager of Trego Dugan Aviation, which handles ground services for Avelo Airlines in Redding, said his company is was withdrawing from California later this summer.

Trego Dugan is the company that provides ground handling operations for Avelo Airlines in Redding.

“I’m here because I think there needs to be a little more attention paid to our air service issues and I hope the board will take an interest in the air service issue,” Culver told the supervisors.

Supervisor Chris Kelstrom asked that supervisors at the next board meeting talk about what the county can do to help Avelo Airlines maintain its Redding-Burbank flights. Kelstrom’s motion passed unanimously.

“I think time is of the essence, so I think we need to contact Avelo Airlines and let them know that the county is willing to help them here, that we would like to keep them here,” Kelstrom said.

Culver told the Record Searchlight after the meeting that he could not speak for Avelo Airlines.

A Record Searchlight reporter later emailed Avelo Airlines spokeswoman Jones for comment and received confirmation that flights to Hollywood-Burbank were canceled.

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Avelo Airlines, which operates twin-engine 737s, began serving Hollywood-Burbank Airport from Redding in May 2021. It also offered flights to Las Vegas for about a year before discontinuing service in December 2022.

Culver said his company’s services include checking customers in, loading luggage onto the plane and cleaning the plane. “At any given time, we try to hire at least 10 employees,” he said.

Culver said he heard that Avelo tried to find another “floor manager” after learning of Trego Dugan’s departure, but was unsuccessful.

Culver said he didn’t know specifically why Trego Dugan was leaving California.

David Benda covers business, development and everything happening for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly column “Buzz on the Street.” He’s part of a team of dedicated journalists who investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news, and tell other stories about your community. Contact him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.