Allegiant forced to delay some flights, cancel others

Staff report

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Allegiant airlines announced a compliance issue with a portion of aircraft in its fleet, forcing the airline to reinspect the unspecified problem and pull as many as 30 airplanes from its service fleet.

That process is expected to be complete by the end of this month, but in the meantime, the airline will be forced to delay, reschedule or cancel a number of flights over the next several days, according to a press release from the company.

Allegiant is the only airline providing scheduled service from the Youngstown- Warren Regional Airport, with destinations including Orlando, Tampa Bay and Myrtle Beach.

Dan Dickten, director of aviation at the airport, said he received word of the reinspections and aircraft issues Friday. The airport’s next scheduled flight is Sunday, he said, adding that it was unclear if that, or any other flights from the airport, would be canceled during the specified period.

Allegiant identified the problems on its McDonnell Douglas MD-80s, a twin- engine, short- to medium-range aircraft, with a single row and the ability to seat 130 to 172 people.

A late update from the airline issued Friday listing delayed flights and affected routes did not affect the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. It was not listed on the delayed or rescheduled lists. The airline has additional call-center staff to deal with the disruption, and it says affected travelers will be contacted directly. Customers also may sign up for flight alerts for individual flights at www2.allegiantair.com/flight-status, or call 702-505-8888.