Allegiant announces the establishment of a new base of operations at Punta Gorda Airport as of June 27. The company will open the base with one 150 seat, MD-80 series jet aircraft at the airport and create local jobs for flight attendants and airport service personnel.

In conjunction with the base, Allegiant will begin new, nonstop air service to Southwest Florida from four markets. The carrier will offer introductory fares as low as $74.99* one way, including taxes and fees, to the following cities from Punta Gorda Airport:

Fort Wayne, Ind. begins June 28 with fares as low as $92.99* each way

Niagara Falls, N.Y. begins June 29 with fares as low as $74.99* each way

Peoria, Ill. begins June 28 with fares as low as $74.99* each way

South Bend, Ind. begins June 27 with fares as low as $94.99* each way

Flight days and times can be found at allegiant.com .

“Southwest Florida has been a successful part of our vacation destination offerings for some time,” said Andrew Levy, Allegiant Travel Company president in a prepared statement. “Having a base at Punta Gorda Airport will allow us to give more of our markets access to the Southwest Florida coast and offer travelers more affordable vacation options. We are happy to partner with an airport that operates in a low-cost, efficient manner, which allows us to pass the savings on to our customer.”

“When I met recently with business leaders in the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, one of their top concerns was increasing direct flights into and out of Charlotte County,” said Congressman Tom Rooney in a prepared statement. “I’m very happy that Allegiant is helping to meet the need for low-cost, direct flights that will help boost our local economy and bring more jobs to the area.”

“We are very pleased with this expansion of service to Punta Gorda Airport by Allegiant,” said Kathleen Coppola, chair of the Charlotte County Airport Authority in a prepared statement. “The economic impact of the visitors in our community from Allegiant is very much appreciated. Allegiant, which has been at Punta Gorda for over three years, has developed a strong following with its discount pricing.”

The Punta Gorda Airport is Allegiant’s ninth base of operations, the fourth in Florida. Allegiant currently provides service to Southwest Florida, via Punta Gorda Airport, from three cities, including Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tenn. and Lexington, Ky.

Reservations can be made on the company’s website at allegiant.com or by calling the company’s travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the $74.99* 94.99* one-way fares:

Seats are limited. Fares are one way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by April 30, 2012 for travel by November 13, 2012. Prices include PFC, segment tax and Sept. 11th security fee of up to $10.80 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $10.00 per segment, per passenger is included in the introductory one-way fare. A fee of $14.99 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant call centers. Purchases made at any Allegiant Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call center fee. For ticket counter hours of operation, please visit allegiant.com. Baggage fees of up to $35 per bag, per segment will apply to one carry-on and the first two (2) checked bags. For baggage fees, please visit allegiant.com. Additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

Source: Allegiant Travel Company