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Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Return of Nonstop Jet Service from Burlington to Orlando on Allegiant Air

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Allegiant release follows City release

November 5, 2013

Mayor’s Office Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                                         802.735.7962
                                         mike@burlingtonvt.gov

Airport Contact:               Ryan Betcher                                                
                                          802.863.2874, ext. 237
                                          rbetcher@btv.aero

Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Return of Nonstop Jet Service from Burlington to Orlando on Allegiant Air

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger, Aviation Director Gene Richards, Allegiant Travel Company representative Micah Lillard, and other airport officials and stakeholders today, at a Burlington International Airport (BTV) news conference, announced that Allegiant Air will begin nonstop, low-cost jet service between Burlington and Orlando on February 19, 2014.  The new service, BTV’s first nonstop Florida flight since November 2012, will operate between BTV and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays on MD-80 aircraft with seating for 166 passengers.  To celebrate, Allegiant will introduce the new service with one-way fares as low as $67.00.

“The return of nonstop service between Burlington and Florida represents the achievement of Burlington International Airport’s top air service enhancement goal and is yet another indication that the airport under the leadership of Aviation Director Gene Richards and his team is headed along the right path,” said Mayor Weinberger.  “We are thrilled to welcome a new airline to Burlington for the second time in only two years and appreciate the confidence that Allegiant has demonstrated in Burlington and our airport.”

Located in central Florida, Orlando is a first-class destination for tourism and business travel, featuring many world renowned theme parks, as well as incredible shopping, dining, outdoor activities, and entertainment.  Orlando, currently the third most popular destination for Burlington travelers after New York City and Washington, DC, acts as a great base for all travelers to the state. 

“We are pleased to bring a new, affordable and convenient travel option to the residents of Burlington,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. “We are confident the Burlington community will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Orlando for less and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together at Allegiant.com.”

Both the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) played important roles in landing the new Allegiant service through their commitment to fund marketing efforts to help ensure the success of the new route.  “Orlando is a proven prime destination for traffic from BTV,” said Brian Searles, VTrans Secretary.  “Allegiant Air and Vermont travelers will enjoy the benefits of this great new service.” 

“Not only does this route provide a great service for Vermonters, but also it will attract Canadian customers who strengthen our local economy and the airport,” stated Lawrence Miller, ACCD Secretary.

“We’re so excited to provide northern Vermont and Quebec travelers with nonstop service to Orlando,” said Director Richards.  “Allegiant will provide BTV travelers with a level of convenience and ease that they have been seeking, at a price that is friendly to any budget.  I offer a special thank you to all the community and regional partners who supported BTV and made this service addition possible.”

Enplanements at BTV were up 2.97 and 8.38 percent in August and September 2013, respectively, over the same months last year.  In addition to the new Allegiant jet service, the BTV team secured the return and doubling of nonstop air service between BTV and Toronto in December 2012, as well as nonstop service between BTV and Atlanta in June 2013.

Tom Torti, President and CEO of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, stated:  “The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is very pleased that Allegiant will be adding nonstop jet service between Burlington and Orlando.  Under the Mayor’s and Gene’s leadership, Burlington has made great progress at the airport to vastly improve the customer experience and to add nonstop jet service between Burlington and key travel and business destinations.  The airport is a key economic development driver for the region and the state, and the addition of the Orlando flight opens the door for increased economic opportunity.”

Also attending the announcement were: Jeff Munger, BTV Commission Chair; Joan Shannon, City Council President (Ward 5); Karen Paul, City Councilor (Ward 6) and Co-Chair of the Burlington City Council Airport Strategic Planning Committee; Mayor Michael O’Brien, City of Winooski; Kevin Dorn, South Burlington City Manager; Megan Sullivan, Business Liaison, Office of Congressman Peter Welch; Heather Kendrew, BTV Director of Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental Compliance; Kelly Colling, BTV Director of Operations; Ryan Betcher, BTV Marketing Assistant; and Robert McEwing, BTV Director of Planning and Development. 

About Burlington International Airport

Located in South Burlington, VT, Burlington International Airport provides nonstop service to major cities with connections all over the world. BTV is just ten minutes from the Church Street Marketplace and an hour from five world-class mountain resorts. Travelers can learn more about BTV and its amenities at btv.aero.

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ALLEGIANT ANNOUNCES NONSTOP, LOW-COST TRAVEL BETWEEN
BURLINGTON AND ORLANDO WITH $67* INTRODUCTORY ONE-WAY FARES

FOR DOWNLOADABLE BROADCAST QUALITY VIDEO VISIT:
http://gofly.us/11e6LiS

BURLINGTON, Vt. Nov. 5, 2013 — Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) announces today new, nonstop jet service between Burlington and Orlando via Orlando Sanford International Airport, beginning Feb. 19, 2014. Today’s announcement marks the 101st  U.S. city served by Allegiant’s low-cost, nonstop service to popular vacation destinations, more than any other low-cost carrier in the U.S. To celebrate, the company, known for its exceptional travel deals, will introduce the new service with one-way fares as low as $67*.

“We are pleased to bring a new, affordable and convenient travel option to the residents of Burlington,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. “We are confident the Burlington community will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Orlando for less and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together at Allegiant.com.”

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Burlington travelers can take advantage of everyday low fares and save even more when they book air, hotel, car and even activity and attraction reservations together. Flight days and times can be found at Allegiant.com.

“The return of nonstop service between Burlington and Florida represents the achievement of Burlington International Airport’s top air service enhancement goal and is yet another indication that the airport under the leadership of Aviation Director Gene Richards and his team is headed along the right path,” said Mayor Weinberger.  “We are thrilled to welcome a new airline to Burlington for the second time in only two years and appreciate the confidence that Allegiant has demonstrated in Burlington and our airport.”

Allegiant differs in many ways from other U.S. airlines. The company’s sole focus is on low-cost, nonstop leisure travel, providing customers with low base fares and great value. 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 14 vacation destinations in 101 communities nationwide.

Reservations can be made on the company’s website at Allegiant.com or by calling the company’s travel experts at 702-505-8888 seven days a week.

Located in the heart of Central Florida, Orlando is home to the world’s most exciting theme parks and has plenty of shopping, dining, outdoor activities and entertainment. Allegiant partners with more than 60 of the Orlando area’s most exciting hotel properties, provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car and offers great deals on activities such as theme park tickets, dinner shows, and day tours. Burlington travelers can book their entire Orlando vacation for less by visiting Allegiant.com.

About the $67* one-way fares:
Seats are limited. Price includes taxes and fees. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by Nov. 12, 2013, for travel by April 29, 2014. Price reflects debit card discount; credit card price higher. For baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com. Additional restrictions may apply.

Allegiant, Travel is our deal. ®

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations. The company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, while also offering other travel-related products such as hotel rooms, rental cars, and attraction tickets. All can be purchased through the company website, Allegiant.com. The company has been named one of America’s 100 Best Small Companies by Forbes Magazine for four consecutive years. For downloadable press kit, including photos, visit: http://gofly.us/SQmY7O.
 

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Allegiant Media Contact
Phone: 702-853-4625
Email:  mediarelations@allegiantair.com

Press Release Date: 
11/05/2013
City Department: 
Mayor's Office