LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Aug. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- State
and local officials joined executives from Allegiant Travel
Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today as the company announced plans to
establish a two-aircraft base at Lehigh Valley International
Airport (ABE) in Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania. Allegiant's growth plans in the state
include creating at least 66 new, high-wage jobs.
The Las Vegas-based company is investing $50 million to establish its new base of
operations, which will house two Airbus aircraft. The company,
which focuses on linking travelers in small-to-medium cities to
world-class leisure destinations, plans to begin its base
operations at Lehigh Valley
International Airport on February 12,
2020. Lehigh Valley will
become the airline's 18th aircraft base.
The Lehigh Valley is a
two-county region in eastern Pennsylvania consisting of 62 municipalities
and three cities; Allentown,
Bethlehem, and Easton. Located one hour north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of
New York City, the Lehigh Valley is the 69th largest metropolitan
region in the United States, with
a $40.1 billion GDP that is larger
than that of two entire states, Wyoming and Vermont. With more than 15,000 businesses
contributing to an incredibly diverse industry base, Lehigh Valley is the fastest growing and third
most populous region in the state of Pennsylvania, with a population of more than
670,000 residents. Site Selection named the
Lehigh Valley one of the top five
fastest-growing regions with under a million people in the United States in 2018, and the
fastest-growing region of its size in the Northeast U.S. for a
third consecutive year.
Speaking at today's announcement were Hilarie Grey, managing director of corporate
communications for Allegiant Travel Company, Tom Stoudt, executive director at LVIA,
Don Cunningham, president & CEO
of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and
Pennsylvania Senate Majority
Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne
(R-Lehigh). Senator Browne secured
a state grant to help offset capital costs of the expansion at LVIA
and make the Lehigh Valley airport
a more attractive option for Allegiant's growth.
"Lehigh Valley International
Airport continues to be a vital asset for the Lehigh Valley and a significant driving force
for our growing economy. Today's announcement ushers in a new era
of leisure and commercial travel possibilities for the airport and
our region," Senator Browne said. "I applaud Allegiant for
recognizing the importance LVIA plays in air travel and for
choosing to expand their presence at the airport. I commend their
commitment to creating additional high-paying jobs, capital
investment and potential expansion of routes along with their
continued dedication to being involved partners with the community.
I was pleased to work with Allegiant on this endeavor to enhance
our airport and provide state financial support to ensure the
Lehigh Valley was able to secure
this important opportunity."
"Lehigh Valley is a perfect
location for a permanent base, which will further establish
Allegiant as a hometown airline in eastern Pennsylvania," said Keith Hansen, vice president of government
affairs for Allegiant. "It has been a great area for Allegiant,
where passenger demand has grown steadily over the years. As a base
airport, having locally-based aircraft and crews will give us a
host of options for both new service and expanded operational
hours. This will mean more opportunities for affordable, convenient
travel for local residents and visitors to the area."
"Excitement is sky high throughout the Lehigh Valley with the news of an Allegiant
Crew Base landing at ABE," said Thomas R.
Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport
Authority. "Since day one, Allegiant has demonstrated a strong
commitment by providing air travelers affordable options and also
have supported impactful regional initiatives. Now, they've created
employment opportunities for this region which makes your
neighborhood airport a more critical economic asset."
Allegiant began operating at ABE in 2005 and
currently offers seven non-stop routes – to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando/Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee and Savannah,
Georgia. Allegiant currently carries more than 280,000 annual
passengers through Lehigh
Valley.
Allegiant, which employs more than 4,300 team members
across the U.S., plans to immediately begin hiring pilots, flight
attendants, mechanics and ground personnel to support the
operations. The majority of the new positions are expected to offer
salaries that are more than double the state's average wage.
Interested applicants may apply online.
"The convenience and success of the Lehigh Valley Airport is a
critical factor in both the economic and population growth of the
Lehigh Valley," said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh
Valley Economic Development Corp. "Allegiant Air selecting the
Lehigh Valley to expand its
operation and to add a large group of maintenance and flight crew
employees is another indicator of the Lehigh Valley's economic growth and the
increased activity at the Lehigh Valley Airport."
Allegiant Travel Company
Las Vegas-based Allegiant
(NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at
its heart, focused on connecting customers with premier leisure
experiences - from vacations to hometown family entertainment.
Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium
cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop
flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant
serves more than 450 routes across the country, with base airfares
less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket.
Allegiant's Sunseeker Resorts subsidiary is currently
under construction with its inaugural resort property, Sunseeker
Resort Charlotte Harbor in Southwest
Florida - a unique waterside integrated resort like no
other. And a growing group of Allegiant Nonstop family
entertainment centers offer state-of-the art indoor games and
attractions to thrill seekers of all ages. For more
information, visit us at Allegiant.com. Media information,
including photos, is available
at http://gofly.us/iiFa303wrtF
Media Contacts:
Allegiant – 702.800.2020,
mediarelations@allegiantair.com
Lehigh Valley International
Airport – 610-231-5284, criccobon@lnaa.com
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SOURCE Allegiant