Avoca, PA – In light of a recent decision by Allegiant indicating their plans to discontinue service at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) effective sometime in January 2018, the Airport has issued the following press release:
Since their commencement of service from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in June of 2012, Allegiant has partnered with AVP to provide travel service to local fliers. Unquestionably, the Airport has appreciated and valued this partnership for the five (5) years it has been in place.
Although the airport is certainly disappointed by Allegiant’s decision to discontinue service from AVP, Team AVP feels that this decision will open the door to new air service opportunities from our current longstanding airline partners and other airlines not yet at AVP who offer similar services to leisure destinations.
These carriers will immediately benefit from AVP’s growing passenger demand. More specifically, AVP is having a record-breaking year in terms of passenger traffic, attaining an increase of 13.8% through June 2017 over the same period last year. AVP is on pace to serve the largest volume of passenger traffic in its history. Furthermore, airline flights are very full often with 90% seats filled by a traveler. These trends exemplify that AVP is an attractive market for airlines to add more service as a result of its thriving business community and supportive traveler base.
It has been noted and commented by aviation observers that Allegiant is changing its corporate strategy by placing a greater emphasis on larger markets. This appears to be another step in that direction. For example, they have recently entered into business relationships with larger markets like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Denver. This change in strategy is ongoing and is expected to have an impact on small airports across the country.
“We recognize that Allegiant is changing its strategy, which requires them to tap into larger population centers. However, our market remains attractive with a strong economy, record-setting enplanements and full flights. As a result, we expect new interest by airlines, especially the airlines who have been long-term partners of AVP.
“As we continue to move forward with a record-breaking year for 2017, we are confident that our long-term partners – American, Delta and United – will continue to provide outstanding daily service to their major hubs, and continue to see the growth potential at AVP. Team AVP has already reached out to our current airline partners, and will be reaching out to airlines that do not currently serve the AVP market for this newly presented opportunity. This is an inevitable part of our business. We’re already off and running for future announcements, so stay tuned…”
Carl Beardsley, Jr., AVP Executive Director
