DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 8, 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 Des Moines International
Airport (DSM). The announcement heralds the leisure airline's
20th base of operations, a $50
million investment which will locate two Airbus A320
aircraft in Des Moines, bringing
at least 66 new, high-wage jobs to the community. The
Las Vegas-based carrier will begin
base operations at DSM on May 14,
2020.
"For Allegiant to select Des
Moines International Airport as a base of operations is a
historic day for Des Moines, our
airport and the two-and-a-half million passengers who fly through
our City each year," said Des
Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.
"The financial investment and well-paying jobs this brings to our
community is significant and most appreciated. And to those flight
crews and ground personnel who will be our new neighbors, we say
thank you for flying Allegiant and welcome to Des Moines."
Iowa's capital city and the
Greater Des Moines region are the
core of one of the fastest growing areas in the Midwest. Home to
more than 791,000 residents, the region is known for iconic
festivals and events, sports and outdoor recreation opportunities,
as well as a burgeoning business environment. In recent
years, Des Moines has been named
among the nation's top places to live (US News & World Report,
2018) and top locations for business and careers. (Forbes,
2017)
"In many ways, today's announcement is the culmination of a more
than 15-year relationship between Allegiant and Des Moines International Airport, where we've
steadily grown our operation to meet increasing demand," said
Keith Hansen, Allegiant's vice
president of government affairs. "Having locally-based aircraft and
crews will open up a wide range of options for new service and more
flights throughout the day. We're excited to bring more
opportunities for affordable, convenient travel, and expand
Allegiant's presence as a hometown airline for Hawkeye state residents."
Allegiant began service at DSM in 2003 and
currently offers eight non-stop routes – to Orlando-Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater, Punta Gorda, Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Sarasota, Florida; Phoenix-Mesa,
Arizona; Los Angeles,
California; and Las Vegas,
Nevada. Allegiant in 2018 carried more than 232,000 annual
passengers through Des Moines, and
is on track to eclipse that number in 2019.
"The Des Moines International
Airport continues to play a critical role in the economic vitality
of the region with this announcement," said Kevin Foley, Des Moines Airport Authority
Executive Director. "Iowans continue to prove travel is
important to them and DSM is committed to growing air service in
our market. Through this partnership with Allegiant, not only
will we be adding jobs in our community, we will be opening the
door for new destinations and adventures."
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.
"Allegiant's investment in Greater Des
Moines will significantly contribute to the vibrancy of our
rapidly growing regional economy," said Jay
Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "The
continued advancement of the Des
Moines International Airport is one of our strategic
priorities, and this expansion project will position DSM for
multiple new destinations."
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
Des Moines Airport Authority (DSM)
The Des Moines
Airport Authority is an independent entity that oversees the
operations and maintenance of the Des
Moines International Airport. The Airport Authority works to
improve the quality of air service and make air travel to and from
Des Moines more convenient and
pleasurable. For more information, visit www.dsmairport.com and
follow @dsmairport on Twitter and DSM International Airport on
Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Allegiant – 702.800.2020,
mediarelations@allegiantair.com
Des Moines International Airport
– 515-256-5108, kmkovarna@dsmairport.com
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SOURCE Allegiant Travel Company