Allegiant says Pittsburgh flights not likely to affect Youngstown service

Staff report

VIENNA

The flights Allegiant Air is adding between Pittsburgh International Airport and three Florida cities starting Feb. 13 are not likely to have an adverse effect on the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, a local airport official said.

“We think the patronage we’ve established over five years will continue,” said Dan Dickten, director of aviation at the Youngstown-Warren airport. He said the low price of parking here, the short walking distance to the terminal from the parking lot and convenience are likely to keep customers coming back.

Allegiant announced that Pittsburgh is among several new cities getting flights to Florida and Las Vegas.

Allegiant will make four flights a week from Pittsburgh to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport serving the Tampa Bay area, four flights a week to Punta Gorda and two flights a week to Jacksonville.

Allegiant says it’ll be the only airline flying the Pittsburgh-Jacksonville route.

Dickten notes that Pittsburgh will not be getting flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., one of Youngstown’s most-popular routes.

Allegiant could not be reached to comment on the new Pittsburgh routes, but Dickten issued a news release containing a statement from the company.

“YNG [Youngstown] has been a great partner for Allegiant and will continue to be an important partner for Allegiant,” the statement said. “We do not anticipate lowering any levels of service with YNG because of” the Pittsburgh flights.

Allegiant added that nothing has changed regarding the possibility that Youngstown will be getting additional service to Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at some point.

Allegiant also has added flights to Florida from Syracuse, N.Y.; Columbus; Cincinnati; Indianapolis; Austin, Texas; Richmond, Va.; Hagerstown, Md.; and Omaha, Neb. Five of the cities currently have no Allegiant service.

“Allegiant’s innovative business model has allowed it to grow from one plane and one route just over a decade ago, to offering access to low-cost, nonstop travel to 13 vacation destinations in over 90 communities nationwide,” according to the Allegiant website.