Budget carrier Allegiant Air has announced the addition of 10 new routes across 14 different airports, with its bases in Los Angeles and Knoxville, Tennessee being the biggest beneficiaries. Both bases will now have three new nonstop routes each. Other destinations that will receive multiple new routes include the Florida airports serving Jacksonville and St. Petersburg.
Allegiant also announced that it will be the only carrier offering nonstop service on all 10 of the new routes. This expansion is seen as a move to cater to passengers and communities that have been overlooked by other carriers. Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief revenue officer, stated in a statement, “Allegiant’s unique business model, connecting small-to-medium sized cities to vacation destinations, creates accessible travel options not otherwise available in what we believe are underserved markets.”
In addition to the major airports, Allegiant’s expansion will also include new flights from two of the more unusual secondary airports in its network. One of these is the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), which will now have twice-weekly nonstop flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). While RFD bears Chicago’s name in its official name, it is actually located about 85 miles west of Chicago’s downtown Loop neighborhood. The airport added the Chicago name to its title in the early 2000s in an attempt to position itself as an alternative airport to Chicago’s much busier O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). Allegiant is the only airline with service at the Rockford airport, where it offers either seasonal or year-round service to eight other destinations.
Another secondary airport that will receive new Allegiant service is MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV), located 25 miles from downtown St. Louis near Belleville, Illinois. The airport opened to commercial flights in the late 1990s as a response to concerns about overcrowding at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), the metro area’s primary airport. However, a new runway at STL coupled with declining flights left that airport operating far below its capacity. Allegiant is currently the only airline with regularly scheduled passenger service at BLV.
The expansion by Allegiant will significantly increase connectivity options for passengers in these underserved markets. The full schedule details for all 10 new routes are as follows:
1. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
– Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD): Service begins June 12 with two flights per week.
– Laredo International Airport (LRD) in Texas: Service begins June 12 with two flights per week. (Seasonal)
– Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) in South Dakota: Service begins June 14 with two flights per week. (Seasonal)
2. Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
– Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Florida: Service begins June 14 with two flights per week.
– MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) in Belleville, Illinois: Service begins June 13 with two flights per week.
– South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana: Service begins June 14 with two flights per week. (Seasonal)
3. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
– Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Pennsylvania: Service begins June 14 with two flights per week.
– McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS): Service begins June 14 with two flights per week.
4. St. Pete—Clearwater International Airport (PIE) in Florida
– Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) in Indiana: Service begins June 13 with two flights per week.
– McAllen International Airport (MFE) in Texas: Service begins June 14 with two flights per week.
5. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Florida
– Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) in New York: Service begins June 12 with two flights per week.
This expansion by Allegiant will provide more travel options for passengers in underserved markets, connecting them to popular vacation destinations. It also highlights Allegiant’s commitment to its unique business model of serving smaller cities and creating accessible travel options. With Allegiant being the only carrier offering nonstop service on all 10 new routes, it is poised to capture a significant market share in these underserved regions.