Allegiant adds flights to Tampa Bay, Fla.

Staff report

VIENNA

Local travelers got a ray of sunshine Wednesday with the launch of Allegiant Air’s new nonstop-flight service between Youngstown and Tampa Bay, Fla.

The airline will operate twice-weekly flights between the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and St. Petersburg- Clearwater Airport in the Tampa Bay area Wednesdays and Saturdays.

There has been significant interest in the new flights from customers in the Mahoning Valley, said Allegiant spokeswoman Sabrina Piccolo.

“We have been very satisfied with the bookings so far,” Piccolo said. “With the holidays approaching, a lot of people want to get away from the cold.”

Allegiant is the sole commercial-flight operator that offers service from the Youngstown-Warren airport. The Las Vegas-based airline also offers service from Youngstown to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Orlando, Fla.

The new flights will depart Youngstown-Warren at 11:05 a.m. and arrive in the Tampa Bay area at 1:30 p.m. Return flights will leave St. Petersburg- Clearwater at 8 a.m., landing at Youngstown- Warren airport at 10:25 a.m. Allegiant will use a 150-seat, MD-80 series, jet aircraft on the route.

“St. Petersburg is among the top-five destinations requested by the community,” Dan Dickten, director of aviation for the Western Reserve Port Authority, said in a statement. “We look forward to successful flights to the Tampa Bay area and working with Allegiant in the future.”

Allegiant is inaugurating the new service with limited airfare deals until Dec. 1. To make a reservation, visit www.allegiantair.com, or call 702-505-8888.