US airline Allegiant Air announced its plans to establish a new base of operations at Provo Municipal Airport (PVU), in Utah. According to the company, the initiative will require an investment of around 95 million dollars and will create, at least, 157 new jobs.
As per the announcement, it plans to hire new pilots, cabin crew, mechanics, and ground staff to support the operations.
Allegiant is the only airline with regular operations in Provo. From there, it mainly offers connections to cities in the western United States. With the new opening, scheduled for November 16th, four aircraft in the fleet will be based there.
It currently serves Austin (AUS), Houston-Hobby (HOU), Saint Petersburg-Clearwater (PIE), Phoenix-Sky Harbor (PHX), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA), Los Angeles (LAX), Palm Springs (PSP) and Orange County (SNA).
Despite having only one scheduled operator, Provo Airport is the second busiest airport in Utah, behind Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), one of Delta Air Lines’ hubs.
«We are delighted to grow alongside Provo, a market with phenomenal growth and convenient access to some of Utah’s most treasured destinations», said Keith Hansen, Allegiant’s Vice President of Government Affairs. «Building on the success of eight existing routes at Provo, our investment means having locally-based aircraft and crews, opening the door for future new destination opportunities for residents», he added.
«Allegiant Air has found a following with their unique brand of travel focused on low-cost, nonstop flights to popular destinations without the hassle of layovers and connections», said Brian Torgersen, interim Provo Airport Manager.
Allegiant Air has its corporate headquarters in Summerlin, a Las Vegas suburb. It mostly flies to regional or secondary airports. It operates a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Last January, it confirmed an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAXs, with an option for an additional 50 aircraft. The first units are scheduled to begin operations in 2023.
See also: Happy New Year to Boeing: Allegiant confirms order for up to 100 737 MAXs
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