"We are extremely pleased to be able to continue to serve the Piedmont Triad with low-fares and nonstop jet service to Florida," Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., president, CEO and Chairman for Allegiant said. "With the departure of Skybus, we now view the Triad as a viable market for our unique brand of affordable and convenient access to the Sunshine State. We are confident in our ability to serve this community as we are a significantly different company than was Skybus. For instance, we have been profitable for five consecutive years and we are committed to staying that way. Notwithstanding our modest size, we are one of the strongest airlines, financially speaking, in the United States. With an operating fleet of 36 aircraft, we are also significantly larger than was Skybus."
"The presence of Skybus was a destabilizing factor for us at Piedmont Triad and a significant factor behind our original decision to withdraw," Robert Ashcroft, vice president of planning for Allegiant, said. "We preferred to stay clear of a company acting in ways we did not understand. We certainly did not predict Skybus would simply cease service last week. With Skybus no longer a factor, we are delighted to re-commit to the Triad."
The low-cost carrier will celebrate the sunny news with introductory fares as low as $39* one-way to Orlando and Tampa Bay and $49* one-way to Fort Lauderdale.
Beginning June 1, flights to Orlando and Tampa Bay will continue under a new schedule. The Orlando service will operate four days a week with nonstop flights to Orlando-Sanford International Airport Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Tampa Bay service will operate Wednesday and Saturday with nonstop flights to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.
Flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will resume June 2. Flights will operate two times weekly on Monday and Friday.
Located midway between Orlando's world-class attractions and the world famous Daytona Beach, Orlando Sanford International Airport offers visitors the "best of both worlds." Both destinations are only minutes away and ideally situated for those hoping to take a break from the everyday at the beach or to experience the fun of Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and the rest of the excitement Florida has to offer.
With an average 361 days of sunshine each year, the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida's West Coast. The area was named among the top beaches in the United States and is one of a few destinations to have received the "Blue Wave Award" from the Clean Beaches Council. In addition to pristine beaches, visitors are within minutes of shopping, amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences.
Fort Lauderdale offers the ultimate escape to sunny South Florida, with miles of blue waterways, soft golden sand and gentle ocean breezes. Located in the center of South Florida's Gold Coast, 40 miles from Palm Beach and 25 miles from Miami, Fort Lauderdale stretches from Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach in the north to Hollywood and Hallandale Beach in the south. The area offers 300 miles of navigable inland waterways and 44,000 resident yachts, making it recognized as the "Yachting Capital of the World" and the "Venice of America." From the Blue Wave beaches, to the yacht-filled waterways, to the exotic Everglades, every visit is a fresh taste of paradise.
As a full-service travel company, Allegiant provides even greater savings to customers by offering complete, low-cost vacation packages. Customers can double their sunshine fun with complete vacation packages at some of Orlando and Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale's premier resorts. The company provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car.
Reservations may be made through the company's website at www.allegiantair.com, the airline's Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.
Allegiant's $39*and $49* one-way introductory fares are limited, not available on all flights and must be purchased by May 10, 2008, for travel through Aug. 31, 2008.