By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Earlier this week, Allegiant Air launched its first non-stop flight service from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Orlando and Tampa. The airline, which previously operated out of Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport, introduces non-stop flights to Las Vegas on May 1.
“We have been in Lansing for many years and couldn’t get the market going due to competition in the Detroit area, so we decided to make the move to Grand Rapids,” says Sabrina LoPiccolo, Allegiant’s promotions manager.
The airline’s focus is on vacation destinations and leisure travelers rather than business travelers, but LoPiccolo and others expect some business travelers will use the service.
“While direct access to Las Vegas doesn’t seem like the route used by many for business purposes, including convention delegates, it has become an important connection point for those traveling west to east in the U.S.,” says Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau President Doug Small.
“With the current economic conditions and the frequent dissolution of air service in many of our competitive markets, it is refreshing to see additional air service added to our destination,” Small adds. “Regardless of where that service is, it sends a message that Grand Rapids and West Michigan is alive and able to support such service.”
“We usually only announce service to one market and have about two flights a week,” LoPiccolo says. “The announcement of the Florida markets brought a great response so we decided to announce the Las Vegas service. There’s a need here in West Michigan and we see that and we have high hopes.”
Source: Sabrina LoPiccolo, Allegiant Air; Doug Small, Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Kate Washburn, Wondergem Consulting
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.