HEBRON, Ky. -- Allegiant is once again ramping up service at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a move that's directly related to its plans to establish a base of operations here come January.
The low-cost carrier announced a "significant expansion" of its winter and spring flight schedule from CVG, including year-round service to Austin and New Orleans and even more weekly flights to Las Vegas.
The changes are scheduled to take effect in February; Allegiant this summer said it would make CVG a base of operations, stationing up to three permanent aircraft starting Jan. 6. That means it's easier to add new routes and improve service to existing destinations, officials said.
“We’re excited to offer Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky travelers these enhanced travel options,” Eric Fletcher, Allegiant's manager of airports, said. “With the upcoming launch of our base of operations at CVG and these schedule enhancements, we look forward to continued success and growth in the region.”
By February, Allegiant, a low-cost leisure traveler, will operate 40 weekly flights from CVG, and the newly expanded schedule will represent a 54 percent increase over the same period in 2015. Allegiant first launched at CVG in early 2014 with just four weekly flights to two destinations.
Among the service expansions:
- Allegiant will bring back and upgrade nonstop flights to both Austin, Texas, and New Orleans. Those routes will be operated year-round versus seasonally.
- Seasonal flights to Savannah/Hilton Head will start back in 2016 earlier than scheduled, as service will ramp up Feb. 18. Allegiant has already extended that route twice this year. It's currently slated to run through Nov. 29.
- And Allegiant will increase its weekly nonstop flights to Las Vegas from two to five.
The flights will be operated using a mix of Boeing 757, MD-80 and Airbus A320 family aircraft.
CVG officials said the growth is just another sign that passengers continue to embrace low-cost options at the airport. Cincinnati has quickly become one of Allegiant’s fastest growing markets and is the company's largest non-vacation destination.
With its CVG base, Allegiant will also employ up to 90 pilots, flight attendants and airport service personnel. Hiring has already begun.
“Allegiant’s continued growth is made possible by the strong support it is receiving from the Tri-State region,” said William T. "Bill" Robinson III, chairman of the Kenton County Airport Board. “The addition of these flights in February will grow Allegiant’s schedule…giving passengers more options for their spring vacations.”
Allegiant wasn't the only airline to announce extended service at CVG this week. On Monday, American Airlines said it would add new daily routes from CVG to LaGuardia. The flights will be offered three times a day starting Jan. 5. Currently, only Delta directly serves New York City.
