Allegiant Air to Offer Flights from Atlantic City International Airport Beginning Later This Year

In a major development for South Jersey’s air travel options, Allegiant Air announced on Wednesday that it will begin offering flights from the Atlantic City International Airport. This makes Allegiant the second major airline to operate out of the airport, joining Spirit Airlines.

The announcement was made by officials from Allegiant and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which owns the airport. Allegiant, a low-cost airline headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be adding four routes to Florida from the airport. This complements Spirit Airlines’ existing flights to Florida, which have been a consistent presence at the airport despite financial struggles.

Spirit Airlines recently announced new flights between Atlantic City and Miami, with the first flight taking off on Wednesday. However, the airline did close its crew base at the airport last year during a period of financial restructuring. In contrast, Allegiant has been in business for about 25 years and flies to around 125 cities.

The new routes from Atlantic City International Airport will include flights to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Sanford, and Punta Gorda. The first flight will depart on December 11th to Fort Lauderdale, with twice-per-week flights to the other destinations following. Fares start at $39.

Allegiant’s vice-president of planning, Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, expressed the airline’s excitement about the new partnership and their openness to expanding in Atlantic City if there is enough demand. She also mentioned the possibility of adding more destinations in the future.

The addition of Allegiant flights was lauded by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who sees the expansion as a potential economic boost for the state. The airline is also open to the SJTA’s incentive program, which aims to attract and retain airline service at the airport.

This announcement comes just a day after Allegiant’s plans to add new routes to eight cities were revealed. American Airlines also runs a coach-style bus service from Atlantic City International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport, which has seen an increase in demand since its launch.

The news of Allegiant’s expansion comes amid financial concerns for Spirit Airlines, the airport’s only current carrier. In their latest earnings report, the airline expressed doubts about their ability to stay in business. However, SJTA director Stephen Dougherty stated that the news did not influence the partnership with Allegiant and that the authority is constantly in talks with airlines to bring in more service.

In conclusion, the addition of Allegiant Air to Atlantic City International Airport is a significant development for South Jersey’s air travel options. With more routes and competition, travelers can look forward to more affordable fares and a wider range of destinations.