Allegiant announced it is terminating service at MCO February 2011

[dburg30]

From MCO's facebook page..

Allegiant announced it is terminating service at MCO February 2011. We thank Allegiant for its service, and are sorry to see it leave. We would also like to reassure passengers that service to MCO, the only airport to offer Disney’s Magical Express & closest to all area attractions, is available on other airlines from either those airports served by Allegiant or from alternative airports within 72 miles.

 

[dburg30]

from http://www.airlinesanddestinations....nsolidates-all-its-orlando-routes-at-sanford/

Allegiant Air is consolidating all of its Orlando air service at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) from February 1, 2011.

The airline, which currently operates 29 routes to and from the Orlando area, will move the 10 routes it serves from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Sanford.

“Our customers prefer the convenience and simplicity of Sanford, and we’re pleased to respond to their overwhelming requests to return all of our Orlando service to the airport,” says Andrew Levy, president of Allegiant Air’s parent Allegiant Travel Company. “Additionally, the substantially lower airport operating costs coupled with the more efficient operating environment at Orlando Sanford made this the right decision for Allegiant.”


“I am pleased Allegiant is planning to expand its operations at Orlando Sanford International Airport,” says John Mica, U.S. Representative for Florida’s 7th congressional district. “This airport provides great access and convenience to Central Florida for visitors and residents, bringing low-cost, high quality, nonstop service to underserved markets. As a major carrier at Orlando Sanford, Allegiant’s impact on this region is significant and I congratulate them.”

Allegiant Air will begin moving its services from Orlando International Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport with the switch of its MCO routes from Allentown, Pennsylvania; Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Knoxville, Tennessee on February 1. Routes from Des Moines, Iowa and Youngstown, Ohio will follow on February 2; from Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 3; and from Lexington, Kentucky; Springfield, Missouri; Tri-Cities, Tennessee; and Huntington, West Virginia on February 4.

The airline began service to the Orlando area via Orlando Sanford International Airport on May 26, 2005, with nonstop flights to four markets. Today, the company serves 29 markets from the Orlando area.

In addition to the routes being moved over from MCO, Allegiant Air already serves Orlando Sanford from Appleton, Wisconsin; Bangor, Maine; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Duluth, Minnesota; Elmira, New York; Fargo, North Dakota; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; McAllen, Texas; Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (near Bentonville); Owensboro, Kentucky; Plattsburgh, New York; Roanoke, Virginia; Rockford, Illinois; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; South Bend, Indiana; Toledo, Ohio; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Allegiant Travel Company says that by consolidating its Orlando-area operations at a single airport, it is able to keep costs down and offer its customers the best travel deals. Allegiant Air currently bases five McDonnell Douglas MD-80s at Orlando International Airport and as of February 1 the aircraft will move to Orlando Sanford International Airport to support the additional flights. Allegiant began service from Orlando International Airport on February 1 this year.

Reservations on Allegiant’s SFB routes may be made through the company’s website at www. allegiant.com or by calling Allegiant at 702-505-8888.

 

[Tink1971]

For us Allegiant has only flown from Rockford, IL to SFB and not MCO. I didn't even realize Allegiant serviced MCO. In any event we have flown from Rockford to SFB and it was fine, just approx 20 minutes further from WDW than MCO. We typically stay off property so renting a car is a must anyways.

 

[dburg30]

just passin' on the info

 

[Tink1971]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

 

[DisMN]

Maybe it's my attention deficit disorder kicking in but I can't understand what this part is saying.

We would also like to reassure passengers that service to MCO, the only airport to offer Disney’s Magical Express & closest to all area attractions, is available on other airlines from either those airports served by Allegiant or from alternative airports within 72 miles.

 

[DebbieB]

Maybe it's my attention deficit disorder kicking in but I can't understand what this part is saying:

We would also like to reassure passengers that service to MCO, the only airport to offer Disney’s Magical Express & closest to all area attractions, is available on other airlines from either those airports served by Allegiant or from alternative airports within 72 miles.

It's saying that if you still want to fly into MCO, there are other airlines you can choose, either at the airports serviced by Allegiant or other airports within 72 miles of the airports that Allegiant services.

For example - Allentown PA - there are other airlines within 72 miles that you could use - Newark.

 

[dburg30]

Thanks Deb, I was having reading issues also. I kept wanting to read it as DME was available from other airports within 72 miles of MCO.. I obviously was having a moment

 

[DisMN]

Thanks Deb, I was having reading issues also. I kept wanting to read it as DME was available from other airports within 72 miles of MCO.. I obviously was having a moment

LOL You and me both! This is exactly how I was reading it too and I knew it didn't sound right........

thanks so much for the clarity!

 

[jenseib]

I have a hard time beleiving that their customers have requested them to go back to Sanford. Our only option has been Sandford, and it is a nice small airport, but I was wishing that we would eventually be moved to MCO. I hate having to rent a car. My DH likes to rent a car, so he doesn't care where we fly in to. But it is much cheaper to not have to get a car. And then driving to Sanford after the trip is a PAIN! They only have early flights home for us. Which means we have to leave Disney at 6 AM or earlier.
The only good thing about Allegiant for us, is that from our house the airport is only about 10 minutes away. But it is the only direct flight going to FL area.The prices are not great. We typcially pay $100 or more for our flights, plus renting a car. But DH likes the convenience of being close to that airport and getting hom fast after we land.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

>Allegiant Travel Company says that by consolidating its Orlando-area operations at a single airport, it is able to keep costs down and offer its customers the best travel deals.

Well, that's a big duh! Sanford has always offered airlines lower landing fees and rents than they could find at MCO. That's the entire attraction of the place to airlines. It would not surprise me that this was just a ploy by Allegiant to get an even better deal out of Sanford. But whether it was or wasn't, they belong out there! That's why they fly into St. Pete-Clearwater rather than Tampa. That's why they fly into Fort Lauderdale and not Miami.

BobK/Orlando