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. Allegiant will introduce the new service with one-way fares as low as $67 until next Tuesday.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger speaks as BTV Director Gene Richards, Senator Sanders' representative Jeff Munger, Allegiant representative Micah Lillard, VTrans Secretary Brian Searles, South Burlington Council Chair Pam Mackenzie, and South Burlington City Manager Kevin Dorn look on. Photo by Vermont Business Magazine.
‘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 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.’’
Allegiant, which also operates across the lake in Plattsburgh, NY, will continue that service. Lillard said Allegiant is expanding its service in this region. He said the airline will look at the popularity of the service to decide whether to continue the run after the winter and also to determine if it should expand the service to other destinations. For now, service is committed through April 29.
Allegiant's business plan is to offer direct service from smaller airports to only 14 vacation-type destinations. Allegiant also uses a fee-for-service model, in which costs are added for things like baggage and seat selection. But, Lillard said, a customer could choose to decline those services and fly for the base rate.
Richards said that expanding the service is dependent solely on the success of the flights.
"It's all about performance," Richards said. "They will come if we use it." Which, he said, goes for every airline.
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.’
Local news media was well represented at the press conference held on the mezzanine above the lobby Tuesday afternoon.
‘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.’ ‘
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.
Allegiant
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.