YOUNGSTOWN-WARREN REGIONAL AIRPORT Pledge of Allegiant Las Vegas-based airline prepares to offer value-priced flights to Orlando, Fla., area
Flights to Orlando, Fla., are expected to begin in May.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
VIENNA -- Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air flew in a representative to announce today that it will offer airline service to the Orlando, Fla., area from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
Tyri Squyres, Allegiant director of corporate communications, said Wednesday that the company has had "serious conversations with the airport" and that "I'm getting ready to get on an airplane to come your way."
She did not confirm the announcement but added, "Typically when I go to a city, I'm usually there to start service, or for the first flight of service."
Allegiant's presence at the Vienna Township facility would provide the first scheduled flights since summer 2004. The airline is expected to offer flights twice a week.
What is known
The Vindicator has learned the airline will begin flights in May, and it will not be getting any financial inducement to begin the flights. Allegiant will receive advertising help from grants and help from the airport with airport-related costs.
Squyres said customers can typically begin making reservations one hour after the announcement of service in a community. She was to make the announcement at the airport.
Allegiant has a fleet of 15 McDonnell-Douglas aircraft, some with 150 seats, some with 130, according to its Web site.
The Western Reserve Port Authority, which runs the airport, reached an agreement with the company late last week, The Vindicator has learned. A reception was being planned for later today for political and business leaders.
Negotiations with the airline began about a year ago when Steve Bowser, the airport's director of aviation; Chuck Johnson, a former marketing representative for the airport; and Vic Rubenstein, with Rubenstein Associates of Liberty, went to Las Vegas to make a presentation to Allegiant. Negotiations have been ongoing since then.
Typical fares
Squyres said that when the airline comes into a new market such as the Mahoning Valley, it typically offers flights for around $59 each way for a few weeks and then below $100 each way.
"We are a low-cost carrier. We generally start serving a market with very low fares," she said. She cautioned that flights can be sold out, but sell-outs can be avoided by making reservations far enough in advance.
She said it is understandable that Mahoning Valley residents are probably not familiar with Allegiant Air. She said, however, that customers "quickly come to rely on us for value and convenience."
She said the airline does have business customers but serves mostly vacation travelers. She said the price of Allegiant's fares often creates new business in a market because people who might not ordinarily fly decide to fly with Allegiant.
Previous effort grounded
An effort to bring in Pan Am Clipper Connection last year was grounded by the U.S. Department of Transportation because of questions about the carrier's finances. In August the port authority withheld $250,000 in DOT Small Community Air Services funding from Pan Am -- money that was to be used to attract and promote a carrier.
Another airline, Vacation Express, offered flights from the airport for six months ending in September 2004. It said its decision to end service was prompted by high fuel costs and the normal seasonal slowdown.
Those flights began with $300,000 from the port authority, which borrowed the money from Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Vacation Express, which didn't own its own planes, was turned down when it asked for an additional $50,000 to $100,000 to continue service for three or four months.
Squyres said Allegiant opened 30 new routes in 2005 and serves 13 cities with service to Orlando. She said Allegiant's niche is to enter markets where there is no low-cost carrier.
Full-service travel
She said the company is profitable and keeps its prices low by handling most reservations online. She said the company serves as airline and "full-service travel company," offering car rentals, lodging and tickets to amusement parks and such.
Allegiant says its mission is to "bring the smile back to flying" by providing safe, reliable, affordable, top-quality scheduled and charter jet transportation. Allegiant Air employs more than 600 people.
Rubenstein's company will market the airline to the Youngstown-Warren market, Columbiana County and Mercer County and possibly a larger area.