Springfield airport reveals new Allegiant Air destination

At the aptly named Hollywood Theaters in a ceremony staged much like this weekend's Oscars, Springfield-Branson National Airport officials today announced what will be the airport's 13th direct destination: Los Angeles.

Allegiant Air will begin offering nonstop service between Springfield and Los Angeles International Airport on May 3, three days before the airport's new midfield terminal opens. It will be the low-cost carrier's fifth direct destination out of Springfield.

Playing on L.A.'s reputation for glitz and celebrities, past Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce board Chairman Doug Pitt opened an Academy Awards-like envelope to reveal L.A. and jokingly presented it to airport board Chairman Lee Gannaway, who accepted the new destination on the airport's behalf.

"If you think about the fact that in the past 18 months, cities all over the United States have been experiencing cuts in the number of airlines or destinations from or to particular cities ... I think this is further evidence of the economic strength of our community," Gannaway said.

The Springfield airport saw an 11 percent decline in passengers in 2008. Allegiant, however, was the only airline to post positive local figures for the year, with 13 percent growth in passenger numbers.

Flights between Springfield and L.A. will run on Thursdays and Sundays. They will depart Springfield at 9:10 p.m. and arrive in L.A. at 10:35 p.m. local time; they will depart L.A. at 3:20 p.m. and arrive in Springfield at 8:30 p.m.

The one-way introductory fare is $99 for tickets purchased before March 11 and used before Sept. 30. After that, one-way fares will start at $119.[[In-content Ad]]