There has been a dramatic shift at Allegiant Air over the past year, with the ultra-low-cost carrier cutting 61 routes and adding 49, according to Simple Flying.
That changes include eight new nonstop Florida routes.
So, how do all the shakeups impact the Florida Panhandle? Not much it turns out.
Allegiant flies between the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and a variety of destinations including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Denver, Boston and numerous other large and mid-sized cities. No route cuts or additions have been reported at VPS.
Allegiant Air does not have a presence at Pensacola International Airport.
Why is Allegiant dropping airports, flights?
In the past few months, Allegiant has dropped service to seven airports: Los Angeles International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Norfolk International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Grand Forks International Airport, and San Diego International Airport.
Although Allegiant reported a 9.6% year-over-year increase in operating revenue on its most recent earnings call, the carrier expects its second-quarter capacity to be down 6.5% due to the ongoing situation in Iran and the blocked Strait of Hormuz, Inc.com reported.
Allegiant Air adding eight new routes in Florida
It’s not all bad news at Allegiant, however.
Allegiant Air is joining the rush of airlines filling the gap left by Spirit Airlines’ abrupt shutdown with eight new nonstop Florida routes.
The ultra-low-cost airline likes connecting small to mid-size cities to popular leisure destinations, and the new flights will go between the Sunshine State and cities on the East Coast and in the Midwest, starting in the fall.
“We’re excited to announce these new routes and believe it is an important time for Allegiant to increase travel options in these markets,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer, in a May 19 release.
One-way fares start as low as $59 for a limited time, and travelers booking flights on the new routes can earn 1,000 Allways Rewards bonus points, the Las Vegas-based carrier said. Tickets are on sale now.
New Allegiant Florida routes
Fares are not available on all flights, the carrier said, and tickets must be purchased for specific time frames to get the introductory prices, which do not include any additonal fees or taxes. See the release for details.
More airlines adding Florida flights
Several familiar names are increasing their Florida presence, including:
Kevin Robinson and Carly Sauvageau of the USA TODAY NETWORK contributed to this report.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Allegiant Air adding or cutting 110 routes. What it means for Florida Panhandle
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
