Allegiant adds route at Springfield airport

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co. (Nasdaq: ALGT) announced a new route at the Springfield-Branson National Airport as part of a nationwide service expansion.

The twice-weekly flight path between Springfield and the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, is scheduled to start May 28, according to a news release.

The route marks the seventh at the Springfield airport for Allegiant, which also operates flights to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Destin/Fort Walton Beach, according to the airport's website.

"As summer approaches, we expect a lot of pent-up demand for travel, especially for places where people can hike, fish, camp or visit the beach," said Drew Wells, Allegiant's senior vice president of revenue, in the release. "With this expansion, we've added even more service to destinations known for their outdoor appeal."

The airline added 34 new nonstop routes; Springfield is the only Missouri airport on the list.

Additionally, Chicago-based United Airlines is resuming its route between the Springfield airport and Houston Intercontinental Airport on March 4, officials said in a blog post at FlySpringfield.com.

American Airlines Group Inc. (Nasdaq: AAL) subsidiary Envoy Air Inc. recently announced an expansion at the Springfield airport. The airport has started work on an $11 million hangar for Envoy, which will lease the facility, according to past reporting.