Allegiant Air To Start Flights In November
Extensive efforts by New
York's Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) to attract new
commercial airline service appear to have paid off,
as officials there announced this week Allegiant Air will
begin flights from the airport in November.
Allegiant will operate flights to Fort Lauderdale, FL, effective
November 16. Introductory fares will start at $79 each way.
"We are very pleased to again expand the Allegiant brand of
low-fare, nonstop jet service to the Plattsburgh region," said
Maurice Gallagher, Jr., President and CEO of Allegiant Air. "This
is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we
celebrate another way to get to the sun of Florida."
In addition to a new route for Allegiant, the announcement was
also vindication for officials at the former Plattsburgh Air Force
Base, which recently opened a new passenger terminal in hopes of
attracting commercial airline service.
As ANN reported, the terminal
-- which was dedicated April 27 -- and related improvements were
funded with $20 million in grants provided by the US Congress and
the Federal Aviation Administration. It represents the final phase
of a five-year conversion of the former air base into a
multi-purpose regional airport and aerospace park, serving
residents of upstate New York, southern Quebec and Vermont.
PBG's facilities include a 12,000 foot concrete runway, a 12
million square foot concrete apron, and 1.5 million square feet of
aviation industrial space. It also features multi-modal assets
including a direct interchange on Interstate Highway 87 and direct
access to the main Montreal-New York City line of the Canadian
Pacific Railway, including a siding and new railyard. The Port of
Montreal is just one hour away by rail or road.
"Local residents have long sought a direct warm weather
destination flight from a local airport," said James Langley, Jr.,
Chair of the Clinton County Legislature. "And I believe our friends
north of the border will also delight in the convenience offered by
Allegiant Air and Plattsburgh International Airport."
"Allegiant was the first airline we targeted last year," stated
Garry Douglas, President and CEO of the Plattsburgh-North Country
Chamber of Commerce, adding Allegiant hopes to expand routes from
PBG over the next two years.
The airport also hopes to attract more airlines, hosting a full
range of air carriers to serve the area's many businesses,
colleges, institutions and resorts. This includes the Lake
Placid-Adirondack region which expects to benefit from a major
airport less than an hour away, providing access for tourists,
convention attendees, athletes and others.