For Huntsville fliers, it's Viva Las Vegas!

Allegiant Air to offer twice weekly nonstop flights

Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based low-fare carrier, dealt a winning hand to area travelers.

The airline will start nonstop service to Las Vegas from Huntsville International Airport on Sept. 21, aboard 150-seat MD-80 jet aircraft. The flights between Huntsville and McCarran International Airport will operate twice weekly - Mondays and Fridays.

"This market fits our profile perfectly," John Fenyes, the airline's director of sales, said Wednesday in announcing the new service.

Allegiant's introductory fare, which must be bought by Aug. 18 and used by Feb. 10, 2008, is as low as $89 one way, not including fees. Those seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. The tickets are available now. The regular one-way fare on the Las Vegas route will start at $99.

"I think Lady Luck is definitely on our side," said Jeff Sikes, the chairman of the Huntsville/Madison County Airport Authority board of directors. The addition of Allegiant Air fills a void here for low-fare service, he said. The airport lost its first low-cost carrier, Independence Air, in January 2006 when that airline ended all flights.

Allegiant Air's owner, Allegiant Travel Co., is focused on connecting travelers in smaller cities to vacation spots such as Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

Huntsville is "definitely on the radar and being discussed" for other destinations, said Fenyes. "It's obvious from the support of the community that this is the kind of market we're looking for."

"We're proud that you found us," said Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. Being able to travel to and from Huntsville "in an expedited way is important to us."

"Allegiant has just improved (the community's) quality of life greatly," said Evans Quinlivan, chairman of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. New air service helps make economic development much easier, he said.

Allegiant Air, founded in 1997, operates a fleet of 29 MD-80 series aircraft and provides nonstop scheduled service from 41 U.S. cities to Las Vegas, 26 cities to Orlando and 14 to the Tampa Bay area.

Allegiant has launched service in about a dozen markets this year, said Fenyes.

Once Allegiant Air starts service here, Huntsville International will have 14 nonstop destinations: Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Washington, D.C. (Dulles and National), New York (LaGuardia) and Las Vegas. Delta Air Lines last week announced it will start weekday nonstop, round-trip service between Huntsville and LaGuardia Airport, beginning Sept. 6.

Through Allegiant Vacations, the company offers air and hotel vacation packages to Las Vegas.