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Allegiant Air recruits Santa to help publicize new destination from CVG

Allegiant Air recruits Santa to help publicize new destination from CVG
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HEBRON, Ky. – Cincinnati travelers looking to take a bite out of the Big Apple will now have a new, low-cost travel option starting this holiday season.

Allegiant announced year-round inaugural service from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to New York City – via Newark Liberty International – on Tuesday.

Allegiant celebrated its new New York City service with a "Christmas in July" themed event on Tuesday. Photo/CVG provided

A scheduled press event and related promotions all had a "Christmas in July" theme since flights will launch Nov. 16, just ahead of the holiday travel season, Allegiant spokesman Brandon Myers said. Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest travel period of the year for CVG.

New York is a new destination overall for Allegiant, and CVG is one of its first test cities. It does pit the airline head-to-head with the likes of United, Delta and American, which serve the city's big three, Newark, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport, in respective capacities.

There's not currently a low-cost carrier operating between the two markets, which is something "the community has been asking for," Allegiant officials said.

"It's a key city for Allegiant breaking into the New York City market, both as a destination and origin," Myers told WCPO.com. "Folks now have a low-cost option to get there."

New York represents Allegiant's 14th non-stop market at CVG. Flights will operate four times weekly.

The leisure airline has seen strong growth locally since launching in February 2014. It opened a base of operations at the airport in January – a move that stations up to three permanent aircraft here, adds more than 100 jobs and makes it easier to add new flights, like to Washington, D.C., and Destin, Florida, both of which took off in April and May of this year.

"Those routes are already seeing great results," CVG CEO Candace McGraw said. "Allegiant’s growth has been tremendous, and we’re proud they’ve chosen CVG as a launch market for their first New York City area service."

As part of its “Christmas in July” promotion, Allegiant is holding a Facebook sweepstakes for free seats on the route’s inaugural flight. Allegiant is also offering one-way fares on the new route for as low as $39. That fare is limited, however, and tickets must be purchased by July 1 for travel by Feb. 14, 2017.

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