Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on June 4 began new twice-weekly nonstop, seasonal service between Columbus (Rickenbacker) and Allegiant’s newest vacation destination, Savannah-Hilton Head. The route will operate through August 16.
In addition, the carrier on June 4 made its debut in Brownsville with the start of new twice-weekly nonstop flights to Las Vegas.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-111 N301NV (msn 2319) arrives at Los Angeles.
Allegiant Air aircraft slide show: 
Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas) today (February 23) announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase six additional Airbus A319 aircraft. The aircraft are currently being operated by Cebu Pacific Air and are scheduled to enter the Allegiant operating fleet from the end of 2015 through 2017.
“We continue to be able to find high quality, used A319s that fit our specification,” said Jude Bricker, Senior Vice President of Planning. “These aircraft will have 156 seats which is similar to our current A319s. Including these aircraft, we have added commitments for ten additional A320 series aircraft so far this year and will remain active in the used A320 market,” concluded Bricker.
Two of the aircraft will be purchased in 2015 and the company expects the remainder to be purchased in 2016. Allegiant’s expected fleet plan including all aircraft currently under contract is as follows:
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air issued this statement:
Cebu Pacific (CEB) signed a forward sale agreement with a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company, covering Cebu Pacific’s sale of six Airbus A319 aircraft. Allegiant is the parent company of Las Vegas-based low-cost airline, Allegiant Air. Delivery of aircraft to Allegiant is scheduled this year until 2016.
“This agreement is in line with CEB’s efforts to continuously improve operational efficiency by replacing and upgrading our fleet with the larger, more fuel efficient, and longer range A321neo aircraft,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.
The A321neo is the largest model in the A320neo series, which incorporates new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets. The advances will deliver fuel savings of 20 percent and additional payload or range capability. The fuel savings translate into some 5,000 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year. In addition, the aircraft will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.
CEB currently operates a fleet of 54 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 7 more brand-new Airbus A320, 1 Airbus A330, and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.
CEB’s Airbus A321neo aircraft will be equipped with the Pratt and Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan™ engine. The aircraft has a flying radius of over 6 hours and can be configured to have up to 240 seats. This will enable CEB to access new markets in the Indian subcontinent and Australia, including Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A319-111 N301NV (msn 2319) is leased from GECAS and was previously operated by easyJet (Switzerland) as HB-JZK) and by easyJet (UK) as G-EZEX.
Allegiant Air aircraft slide show:
Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas) today announced its proposed transaction to acquire ten Airbus A319 aircraft from Cebu Pacific Air has been terminated as a result of the parties’ failure to satisfy certain conditions to proceeding with the transaction. The potential transaction was made public on July 30, 2012 after the signing of the letter of intent.
“We are disappointed that we were not able to finalize this agreement on which we spent a substantial amount of time and effort,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant President. “Unfortunately we were unable to come to terms on some of the economic provisions of the transaction and as we have demonstrated in the past, we will not purchase aircraft just for the sake of growth. Our disciplined approach in asset purchases is a core competency that we will not compromise.”
“We continue to have fleet flexibility in 2013 even without the Cebu A319s. Seven of the nine A320 aircraft, which we announced the intention to acquire on December 19, 2012, are expected to be delivered in 2013 and we now plan to introduce these aircraft into service at a faster pace so as to offset the capacity that had been planned with the Cebu A319s,” concluded Levy.
Allegiant is now expecting 2013 total CAPEX to be between $170 and $180 million. The company has signed operating leases for nine A319 aircraft with GECAS and purchase agreements for nine A320 aircraft formerly operated by Iberia. Allegiant will remain active in the market for the purchase or lease of additional Airbus aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. The first Airbus A319 for Allegiant is seen at Southend before it was delivered.
Allegiant Air: 
Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas) has announced its intention to purchase up to nine used Airbus A320 aircraft. The average age of these aircraft at delivery is expected to be 12 years with a configuration of 177 seats. The aircraft have been most recently operated by Iberia.
“The A320 aircraft type is a perfect complement to the smaller A319 and will enable us to continue cost effective growth for years to come,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant President. “These transactions represent a tremendous opportunity to purchase a sizeable fleet of sister-ships with CFM powered engines, the same engine type as our A319s, at very attractive prices. Finding up to nine aircraft of this pedigree available for purchase is unusual in our experience. Historically it has been difficult to find owners willing to sell quality assets at this point in their life cycle. Our cash reserves and strong balance sheet continue to provide us a unique ability in the used aircraft space to move on these attractive opportunities.”
“We do not expect a material change to our 2013 capacity as we will vary MD-80 utilization appropriately. As with the earlier acquisition of A319s, we are committed to only acquire aircraft at values that support our existing business model of relatively low fleet utilization,” concluded Levy.
Seven aircraft are expected to be purchased in 2013 and two in 2014. With the addition of this transaction, Allegiant is now expecting 2013 total CAPEX to be between $270 and $280 million versus the previous guidance of $150 to $160 million. The company expects to finance the purchase of these aircraft with debt. Allegiant expects to place the first A320 into service late in the third quarter of 2013 and all nine aircraft are expected to be in service by the end of 2014. No additional MD-80 retirements are planned as a result of this transaction.
As long as Allegiant Air can acquire second-hand Airbus aircraft it is unlikely to add any more older McDonnell Douglas MD-80s.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. The A320s will complement the smaller Airbus A319s being added to the fleet. Former easyJet Switzerland Airbus A319-111 HB-JZK (msn 2319) became N301NV with Allegiant.
Allegiant Air: 
Allegiant Air‘s (Las Vegas) first Airbus A319 has been painted at Southend awaiting delivery.
In other news, the low-fare airline has cancelled all plans to operate Monterey-Honolulu service according to Airline Route.
On the financial side, the parent company issued the following statement for the third quarter:
Allegiant Travel Company has reported the following financial results for the third quarter 2012 as well as comparisons to prior year equivalents:
| Unaudited | 3Q12 | 3Q11 | Change |
| Total operating revenue (millions) | $216.9 | $191.5 | 13.2% |
| Operating income (millions) | $28.7 | $16.7 | 71.8% |
| Operating margin | 13.3% | 8.7% | 4.5pp |
| EBITDA (millions) | $44.6 | $27.5 | 62.3% |
| EBITDA margin | 20.6% | 14.4% | 6.2pp |
| Net income (millions) | $16.9 | $9.5 | 78.6% |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.87 | $0.49 | 77.6% |
“We are very proud to report our 39th consecutive profitable quarter,” stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. “I`d like to thank our Team Members for their great efforts and contributions to another successful quarter. The third quarter is typically our weakest quarter of the year, and yet we were able to produce the highest third quarter earnings per share in the company`s history. This is particularly noteworthy to have done this in a quarter with the average oil price at $92 per barrel and in a demand environment that has been slightly weaker than historical norms.”
Notable company highlights
Revenue performance
| 3Q12 | 3Q11 | Change | |
| Scheduled Service: | |||
| Average fare – scheduled service | $82.30 | $84.94 | (3.1)% |
| Average fare – ancillary air-related charges | $37.05 | $30.38 | 22.0% |
| Average fare – ancillary third party products | $5.59 | $5.31 | 5.3% |
| Average fare – total | $124.94 | $120.63 | 3.6% |
| Scheduled service passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) | 7.89 | 8.58 | (8.0)% |
| Total scheduled service revenue* per ASM (TRASM) (cents) | 11.98 | 12.19 | (1.7)% |
| Load factor | 90.1% | 92.2% | (2.1)pp |
| Passengers (millions) | 1.6 | 1.5 | 9.4% |
| Average passengers per departure | 143 | 136 | 5.1% |
* Total scheduled service revenue includes scheduled service, ancillary air-related, and ancillary third party revenue.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Formerly operated by easyJet (Switzerland), Airbus A319-111 HB-JZK (msn 2319) is the first A319 for Allegiant Air. It is pictured after painting at a Southend, near London. The airframe will become N301NV on delivery.
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