City Living Magazine-December, ’05 Issue, “In the Know”
On The Wings of Love….Allegiant Air Believes in Worcester’s Friendly Skies
By Christina I. Andrianopoulos

On September 28, 2005 a city wide press conference was held at the Worcester Municipal Airport to announce the first commercial partner, Allegiant Air that signaled the new beginning for commercial air traveling out of Worcester. Allegiant Air’s inaugural flight is December 22, 2005 with a direct flight to Orlando, FLA. The preliminary schedule offers four flights a week, Monday, Thursday Friday and Sunday with the first destination to sunny Florida’s Orlando, with fares that start at $39.00 each way. Orlando, being the home of Disney, “a place dreams are made of”, is an appropriate first destination for Worcester since for many people who live in Worcester, Allegiant Air is realizing their dream to have an active airport, again.

Allegiant Air’s commitment to Worcester as one of its new destinations, signals a belief in Worcester as a viable partner. Reactivating commercial flights out of Worcester airport, Allegiant Air is instrumental in offering the components that will prove to be ingredients of success as part of Worcester’s multi-billion dollar economic development. It took the insight and tenacity of several individuals, including Maury Gallagher, CEO of Allegiant, as well as City Manager Michael O’Brien among others, to believe that flights from Worcester will be supported by its citizens.

A Little About Allegiant Air

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Allegiant was founded in 1997 and adopted its current business strategy in 2002, under new ownership. The company is privately owned and led by a team of successful airline industry veterans who have taken the proven attributes of the low-cost airline business model and creatively adapted them to best address its targeted leisure clientele and its focus destinations. This innovative business strategy has allowed Allegiant to expand profitability, despite negative industry trends and fluctuating fuel costs.

Dedicated to truly creating a new way to fly, the company is committed to keeping its fares low and does so by establishing innovative, cost-saving and revenue generating programs. Breaking through the norms of the airline industry, the company recently launched its ground-breaking “Buy On Board” program, whereby the customer now pays for items that were once complimentary-- such as soft drinks and snacks. Passengers now also have a choice; if they prefer to select a specific seat in advance, they may do so for a nominal fee. Such innovative programs not only offer the customers more control over their travel preferences, but provide new revenue streams for the company.

Allegiant currently operates a fleet of 20 MD-80 series aircraft. Aircraft utilized in scheduled service are based in Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport and at Orlando’s Sanford International Airport. The company’s administrative and operational headquarters are located in Las Vegas.

Activating the Worcester Airport has been a controversial topic. There are many who believe it should be closed down. But what the citizens of Worcester don’t realize is that closing the airport down is not a viable option. In (2007)???, unless Worcester Airport generates revenue to support its operations, Worcester will be responsible to come up with the costs to run the airport. Currently, the airport is partly funded by the Massachusetts Port Authority and when this term ends then it falls on Worcester’s shoulders to subsidize the deficit, or find viable means to generate revenues…thus Allegiant Air’s partnership is a key component to avoiding the people of Worcester to be taxed to cover operating expenses….(will elaborate more on this from feedback by the City)

At Allegiant, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way and a Saturday night stay is never required. Additional information and reservations are available at www.allegiantair.com and through the company’s reservations line 1-800-432-3810.

Serves 28 cities direct service either to Las Vegas or Orlando.