Allegiant Air adds Springfield-Phoenix flights

Springfield-Branson National Airport announced this morning that Allegiant – which already offers direct flights from Springfield to Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. – will begin flying to Arizona on Oct. 22. Flights will depart at 12:50 p.m. and arrive at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The new service “plugged a hole” in Springfield’s flight offerings with its location in the southwest, airport Directory of Aviation Gary Cyr said. Most of the airport’s 12 other nonstop destinations are in the eastern half of the country, with the exception of Las Vegas.

Allegiant’s decision comes just two weeks after Delta Airlines said it would cut Springfield service to Cincinnati on Aug. 31. Airport spokesman Kent Boyd has said service cuts are inevitable as high fuel prices continue to hurt airlines’ bottom lines.

“This is very, very good news, especially in light of what’s happening in communities across the country, as airlines reduce and cut service,” Cyr said today. “(This) tells me our market is far from being down and out.”

Phoenix-Mesa flights will start at an introductory fare of $109 one-way. To get that rate, travelers must purchase tickets by Aug. 27 and fly before Jan. 31, and some dates are blacked out. Regular one-way fares will start at $129.

Allegiant first began service in Springfield in April 2005. The low-cost carrier saw 57,800 enplaned Springfield passengers in 2007 and has recorded 32,916 passengers so far in 2008. The airline saw a 37 percent passenger increase in May over May 2007, while the Springfield airport overall saw a 16 percent passenger decline that month.[[In-content Ad]]