By DAN HEATH
PLATTSBURGH -- Allegiant Air will begin twice-weekly, non-stop service to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area starting Dec. 20.
Allegiant Director of Sales John Fenyes said Allegiant decided to offer the third Florida destination based on the success of its flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando and research that showed the Tampa Bay area is a preferred destination.
"We're excited," he said. "The community definitely earned it."
Allegiant will offer flights that leave Plattsburgh at 6:25 a.m. and arrive at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at 9:55 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Flights will leave Florida at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Plattsburgh at 5:45 p.m.
Allegiant will offer special introductory fares as low as $99 if purchased by Nov. 5 for travel by Feb. 5, 2009. Those fares aren't available Dec. 20, 2008, through Jan. 5, 2009.
Fenyes said the Allegiant Travel division of the company offers vacation packages with 30 hotels in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. Packages that include round-trip airfare and a three-night stay start as low as $402.
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said the partnership between Plattsburgh International Airport and Allegiant has had a great first year.
"They fill our airport, and we fill their airplanes," he said.
Douglas said it shows the effectiveness of branding Plattsburgh International as Montreal's U.S. airport. He said Canadians even stop at the airport as a tourist destination, just to see the terminal they've heard so much about.
Douglas credited the Clinton County legislators for leadership, vision and risk-taking in making the decision to build the airport.
County Legislature Chairman Jimmie Langley said it's hard to believe it's been a little more than a year since the airport took flight. He said a good deal of its success is due to Allegiant.
"They took a chance, and obviously it's paying dividends for them."
UPGRADES
The county is taking steps to provide the infrastructure to continue that success. That includes expansion of the airport parking lot in anticipation of increased use around Thanksgiving and installation of an expanded baggage carousel.
Langley said the county will soon remove the Alert Facility and FB-111 shelters.
City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the announcement was obviously continuing great news for the North Country.
"It just makes the region more important and more accessible, which is great news for everyone."
Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said the growth of the airport is a positive for the region.
"It kind of kills me when I have to get up at 5 a.m. for an 8 a.m. flight out of Burlington. This is one more reason you don't have to do that."
While it's important to attract Canadian travelers, Bassett said, he hopes local people also look at the Plattsburgh airport when they make their travel plans.
PLEASED PATRONS
Mario Des Rosiers and Lyne Quenneville were at the airport for a trip on Direct Air and Tours to Myrtle Beach, S.C. They said it was their first flight from Plattsburgh, but they plan to make more.
"We used to drive there," Des Rosiers said. "We decided to go through this place. It's cheaper and nice, and it's a direct flight."
dheath@pressrepublican.com
