Allegiant Air (G4, Las Vegas Harry Reid) will establish two new aircraft and crew bases in Michigan and Wisconsin during the first quarter of 2022, punting them as springboards for the Las Vegas-based airline's growth strategy.
The new bases at Flint (Michigan) and Appleton Outgamie County Regional (Wisconsin) airports would facilitate additional routes and frequencies for leisure travellers across Allegiant's network, the airline said in a statement.
It will base three of the seventy-nine A320-200s in its fleet at Flint Bishop International Airport from February 16, 2022; and two more at Appleton International Airport from March 2, 2022.
At least 89 Allegiant crew members, maintenance technicians, and support staff – representing an investment of USD75 million – will be based in Flint. According to the airport, the airline has grown its market share at the airport (in terms of frequencies) from 7% in 2016, to more than 54% today.
Allegiant began operating from Flint in 2016 and currently offers eight nonstop routes to Orlando Sanford, Fort Lauderdale International, Punta Gorda, FL, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and Sarasota/Bradenton (Florida); Nashville International (Tennessee); Las Vegas Harry Reid (Nevada); and Phoenix Williams Gateway (Arizona) – a new service starting November 18, 2021.
At Appleton International Airport, a USD50 million investment will mean 66 new jobs to the community. Allegiant began service from Appleton in 2008 and currently offers seven nonstop routes to Orlando-Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater and Punta Gorda (Florida); Nashville (Tennessee); Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona); Savannah International (Georgia); and Las Vegas (Nevada).
"Flint and Appleton have been incredibly successful cities for Allegiant, where we've grown our operations steadily over the years," said Drew Wells, senior vice president (revenue and planning). “These new bases will also be pivotal to stretching our network, increasing nonstop flight offerings throughout the country as demand for leisure travel continues to rebound," he added.
