Tag Archives: Allegiant

Allegiant starts seasonal service between Cincinnati and Myrtle Beach

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (May 31) started nonstop, seasonal jet service from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport to Myrtle Beach. The new flights will operate two times a week until August 11, 2014, flying nonstop from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Myrtle Beach becomes the fourth destination available to Allegiant travelers flying out of CVG, including Sanford, Punta Gorda and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.

In other news, Allegiant Travel Company also announced it has borrowed $40.0 million under a loan agreement with CIT, secured by six Boeing 757-200 aircraft (above) and twelve RB211 engines. The notes payable issued under the loan agreement, bear interest at a floating rate based on London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The term of the loan is 48 months and the proceeds are to be used for general corporate purposes.

Copyright Photo: James Helbock/AirlinersGallery.com. Allegiant’s Boeing 757-204 N906NV (msn 27236) approaches the runway at Las Vegas.

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Allegiant restores Colorado Springs-Mesa service and starts three new routes

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on May 15 started three new routes and restarted another:

Allegiant restarted nonstop jet service between Colorado Springs and Mesa via the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. The service will operate twice weekly and becoming the only nonstop service from Colorado Springs to any destination in Arizona. Allegiant first began service at Colorado Springs Airport in February 2002 with nonstop service to Las Vegas and previously offered service to Mesa from 2010 to 2012. Mesa joins Las Vegas as Allegiant’s second nonstop destination from Colorado Springs.

Additionally at Mesa, Allegiant launched the first nonstop flights between Stockton and Mesa via Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly. Mesa becomes the third destination offered to Allegiant travelers flying out of Stockton. Allegiant first began service at Stockton Metropolitan Airport in June 2006 with nonstop service to Las Vegas. Since then, Allegiant has added nonstop seasonal flights to Honolulu.

In the East, Allegiant also started nonstop, year-round jet service from Cincinnati to St. Petersburg/Clearwater. Allegiant originally announced the route as seasonal nonstop service on March 4, 2014, and after seeing overwhelming demand for the flights, decided to offer the flights year round. The twice weekly service to the Tampa Bay area is the carrier’s third route from the CVG Airport. Allegiant currently flies to Sanford (near Orlando) and Punta Gorda. Finally on May 15,

Allegiant started new nonstop, low-cost air service from Asheville to Palm Beach, a new Allegiant destination. The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly between Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Palm Beach becomes the fifth destination offered to Allegiant travelers flying out of Asheville. Allegiant currently flies to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Sanford (Orlando), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Punta Gorda. Allegiant first began service at Asheville Regional Airport in November 2011 with nonstop service to Sanford. Since the start of operations in Asheville, Allegiant has taken more than 60,000 passengers on vacation.

Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) N406NV (msn 49900) taxies past the camera at Boeing Field-King County Airport (BFI) in Seattle in the old 2003 livery.

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Allegiant celebrates 15 years of scheduled passenger flying

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (February 28) commemorated the 15thย anniversary of the carrier’s first scheduled service from Fresno, California to Las Vegas, Nevada on February 28, 1999.

Starting with just one plane, Allegiant has grown to a fleet of 68 planes, flying over 7 million passengers last year. Allegiant now serves 99 cities, more than any other domestic low cost carrier.

Over the years, Allegiant has carried over 40 million passengers, and the Company continues to grow, offering more nonstop service in more communities. In 2013, Allegiant announced service in 15 new cities and added 39 new routes to its network, at a time when many airlines are consolidating and cutting service. The company recently announced its 44th consecutive quarter of profitable operation while keeping its average one-way fare under $100.

Allegiant differs in many ways from other U.S. airlines. The Company is focused on low-cost, nonstop leisure travel, providing customers with low base fares while giving passengers the option to pay for the amenities they want, like luggage, seat assignments and priority boarding, without including the cost of things they don’t need in the price of the ticket.

Allegiant operates under the ultra low-fare model and charges extra for additional services.

Copyright Photo: Norbert G. Raith/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured former SAS Douglas DC-9-21 N127NK (msn 47361) in the original 1998 colors was leased by Allegiant in June 1998 when it received its FAA Part 121 and DOT certification.

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Allegiant Air to resume two routes from Los Angeles on June 6

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on June 6 will resume two routes from Los Angeles. The ultra low fare carrier will resume twice weekly service to both Billings, Montana and Pasco (Tri-Cities), Washington per Airline Route. Both routes were dropped in August 2012.

Allegiantย today also began new nonstop jet service between Burlington, Vermont and Sanford International Airport (near Orlando) in Florida.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 N422NV (msn 49381) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

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Allegiant to drop Charlottesville, Virginia and Manhattan, Kansas on February 23

Allegiant Air‘s (Las Vegas) business plan is to enter a small market and initially fly twice-weekly to a vacation destination. If it fills up the airplanes, it adds additional days of the week. If the new speculative route does not pan out, the airline quickly drops the airport and the route.

This is the case for both Charlottesville, Virginia and Manhattan, Kansas, both university towns. Allegiant began flying to Charlottesville in November to Sanford, Florida (near Orlando). This route did not work and the ultra low-fare airline is dropping the route on February 23, 2014 according the USA Today and pnj.com.

Manhattan received Allegiant service on November 7, 2013 to Mesa, Arizona (near Phoenix). It too will be dropped on February 23.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In other news, Allegiant Airย today announced a month-long campaign to spotlight local travelers, commemorating the 15thย anniversary of the carrier’s first scheduled service. According to the carrier, “The campaign will celebrate Allegiant’s success and commitment to making leisure travel possible with real stories from loyal customers who have changed the way they travel because of the carrier’s unique brand of low-cost, nonstop service.”

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N424NV (msn 49421) approaches the runway at the Las Vegas base.

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Allegiant Air’s pilots to meet with investors and analysts about safety concerns

Allegiant Air‘s (Las Vegas) pilots have issued this statement:

Allegiant Air’s pilots, represented by the Allegiant Air Pilots Executive Council, an employee group of Allegiant Travel Company (Las Vegas) and pilots represented by Teamsters Local Union 1224 inย Wilmington, Ohio, announced plans to begin formal dialogues with Allegiant stakeholders and other influential voices in the financial community, including institutional shareholders, equity analysts, corporate lenders and insurers, in order to address operating and safety concerns that exist at the airline.

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS LOGO

“Allegiant management has turned a deaf ear to serious operational concerns raised by the pilots,” said Capt.ย David Bourne, Director of Airline Division at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. “We believe Allegiant’s financial backers have a right to know what is going on and be given a chance to weigh in on vital changes needed for Allegiant’s long-term success before it’s too late.”

“Allegiant’s low-cost model works if it can actually support the growth of the business,” Bourne said, “However, management’s lack of operational know-how and flat-out resistance to put badly needed investments into infrastructure is taking a significant toll on flight operations, which could ultimately jeopardize flight safety. It’s obvious to us that the major service disruptions over the last several months, ranging from multiple fleet shutdowns, chronic staffing and equipment shortages, significant ramp-up in 3rd party contracting for scheduled flights and sub-servicing and the shutdown of the company’s training department, all flow from the short-sighted decisions being made at the top.”

“It is very unusual for a company’s training department to be shut down,” saidย Dan Wells, President of Teamsters Local 1224. “Allegiant has yet to even acknowledge the training shutdown, much less show its pilots a plan for corrective action or indicate if those changes will adequately satisfy Federal Aviation Administration concerns. Many Allegiant pilots have been delayed in training for months, which we believe is driving a major increase in outsourcing due to the shortage of company pilots to fly scheduled flights and re-route equipment back to hubs and maintenance centers.”

“Management has ignored repeated requests for clarity on the training program by both the union and Allegiant’s own pilots,” Bourne said. “We’ve filed a Freedom of Information Act submission with the FAA on the matter, but the agency’s only reply was that there is an ongoing investigation at the company. In the meantime, Allegiant pilots continue to bend over backwards to work with the company to address the very significant issues that are interfering with the ability of Allegiant flight crews to do their jobs properly and service customers effectively. We are hopeful that conversations with investors and other Allegiant stakeholders will lead to a breakthrough on some of the key obstacles affecting the future of the airline.”

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Allegiant Air’s Boeing 757-204 WL N904NV (msn 26967) arrives at the Las Vegas base.

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Allegiant to operate twice-weekly seasonal flights between Portsmouth and Punta Gorda

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) will addย new seasonal, nonstop jet service between Portsmouth and Punta Gorda Airport beginning on February 12, 2014.ย The new flights will operate twice weekly between Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD).

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com.ย McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N422NV (msn 49381) lands in Las Vegas.

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Allegiant Travel Company reports net income of $17.1 million in the 3Q, up 1%

Allegiant Travel Companyย (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas)ย reported the following financial results for the third quarter 2013, as well as comparisons to prior year equivalents:

Unaudited 3 months endedSept 30,
2013 2012 Change
Total operating revenue (m) $ 228.9 $ 216.9 5.5 %
Operating income (millions) $ 29.2 $ 28.7 1.7 %
Operating margin ย  12.8 % 13.3 % (0.5)pp ย  ย 
EBITDA (millions) $ 46.7 $ 44.6 4.7 %
EBITDA margin ย  20.4 % 20.6 % (0.2)pp ย  ย  ย 
Net income (millions) $ 17.1 $ 16.9 1.0 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.91 $ 0.87 4.6 %

“We are very proud to report our 43rd consecutive profitable quarter,” stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. “We are pleased to produce another profitable quarter and be able to return cash to shareholders through our share repurchase program. ย In addition, I am proud to announce that Andrew Levy has been added to our Board of Directors and will also assume the role of Chief Operating Officer. ย His proven leadership abilities and extensive operational and financial expertise, as well as a deep understanding of the airline business, will be invaluable in his new role as COO.”

“Finally, we were significantly challenged operationally at the end of September many of our MD-80s were taken out of service due to an evacuation slide issue. ย Through the tireless efforts of our Team Members, we were able to minimize the disruption to our customers. ย I am very thankful to all of those individuals who worked extremely hard to put the operation back together in such a short amount of time.”

Notable Company Highlights

  • Completed the acquisition of five Airbus A320 aircraft. ย The company now owns seven A320s
  • Repurchased 491,000 shares for $47 million during the third quarter, average purchase price of $95.85 per share
  • Announced service from nine existing cities to Punta Gorda (Southwest Florida) to begin in the fourth quarter
  • Announced service to 12 new cities with service beginning in the fourth quarter and first quarter
  • Announced 29 new routes which will begin operation in the fourth quarter
  • Average aircraft in service was flat versus last quarter as we retired three MD-80 aircraft and temporarily grounded two MD-80 aircraft early in the quarter
  • Increasing MD-80 operating fleet from 52 at the end of the year to 53 in the first quarter of 2014

Third Quarterย 2013ย Revenue Performance

  • 15th consecutive quarter of year over year increases in total average fare, 4.8 percent higher than a year ago
  • Florida TRASM grew by 9.6 percent despite 12.7 percent growth in ASMs
  • Same store markets, those which were operated in both the third quarter 2013 and 2012, generated a 5.0 percent increase in TRASM
  • Grew scheduled load factor to 90.8 percent despite a 4.2 percent increase in seats per departure
  • The September slide interruption resulted in approximately $1 million in refunds given to customers
3Q13 3Q12 Change
Scheduled Service:
Average fare – scheduled service $86.94 $82.30 5.6 %
Average fare – ancillary air-related charges $38.99 $37.05 5.2 %
Average fare – ancillary third party products $5.06 $5.59 (9.5 )%
Average fare – total $130.99 $124.94 4.8 %
Scheduled service passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) 8.14 7.89 3.2 %
Total scheduled service revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) 12.26 11.98 2.3 %
Load factor 90.8 % ย  90.1 % ย  0.7pp
Passengers (millions) 1.7 1.6 6.3 %
Average passengers per departure 150 143 4.9 %
Average scheduled service stage length (miles) 932 910 2.4 %

ASMs = available seat miles
ย PRASM = scheduled passenger revenue per scheduled available seat mile
TRASM = (scheduled passenger revenue + ancillary air revenue + ancillary third party revenue) per scheduled available seat mile

Third Quarterย 2013ย Cost Performance

  • Fuel expense per ASM declined 3.9 percent primarily due to a 5.8 percent increase in ASMs per gallon versus last year, which more than offset a 1.9 percent increase in average cost per gallon
  • Operating expense excluding fuel was negatively impacted by lower aircraft utilization and approximately $2 million in expense attributable to the evacuation slide interruption. ย The expense associated with the slide event is isolated to September and resulted in higher aircraft lease rentals expense as we contracted with other carriers for sub-service of aircraft to move some of our customers, higher station operations expense due to customer interrupted trip costs, and increased salary and benefits expense due to additional overtime
  • Salary and benefits expense per passenger increased 15 percent versus last year primarily due to an increase in the number of full time equivalents to support our growth, higher stock-based compensation expense and the continuation of the higher pay band for pilots which began in November 2012. ย The current pay band will continue through April 2014 when it will be subject to adjustment based on a trailing 12 month profitability test. ย Based on our forecasted profitability, we currently expect the pilot pay band to remain unchanged
  • Depreciation and amortization expense per passenger increased 8 percent primarily due to a change in estimated MD-80 engine residual values and useful life, and operating a larger contingent of 166 seat MD-80 aircraft
  • Other expense per passenger increased 31 percent due to a higher write-down of engine values in our consignment program compared to the prior year, non capitalizable information technology development costs, crew training for our growing Airbus fleet and costs to support a seasonal operating base in Los Angeles
3Q13 3Q12 Change
Total System*:
Operating expense per passenger $114.54 $108.92 5.2 %
Operating expense per passenger, excluding fuel $63.37 $56.85 11.5 %
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) 10.58 10.29 2.8 %
Operating expense, excluding fuel per ASM (CASM ex fuel) (cents) 5.85 5.37 8.9 %
Average block hours per aircraft per day 5.1 5.2 (1.9 )%

*Total system includes scheduled service, fixed-fee contract and non-revenue flying.

Fourth Quarterย 2013ย Cost Trends

  • Salary and benefits expense is expected to increase due to additional staff required to support our growth
  • Maintenance and repair expense is expected to be slightly higher than fourth quarter 2012. ย For the full year, maintenance expense per aircraft per month is expected to be $100 thousand to $105 thousand as previously guided
  • Aircraft utilization is expected to decline 1.5%, which will pressure ex fuel unit costs when compared to fourth quarter 2012
  • Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to increase as seven A320 aircraft are scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter. ย  For the full year, depreciation per aircraft per month is expected to be between $92 thousand and $95 thousand, as previously guided

Third Party Products Performance

  • Rental car days increased 6.5 percent primarily due to a 18 percent increase in Florida passengers
  • Hotel net revenue excluding the effect of an air discount was higher by 39 percent versus last year. ย The company has phased out offering an air discount which has historically subsidized hotel sales
Supplemental Ancillary Revenue Information
Unaudited (millions)
3Q13 3Q12 Change
Gross ancillary revenue – third party products $28.7 $28.3 1.4 %
Cost of goods sold ($19.6 ) ($18.5 ) 5.9 %
Transaction costs* ($0.5 ) ($0.8 ) (37.5 )%
Ancillary revenue – third party products $8.6 $9.0 (4.4 )%
As percent of gross ย  30.1 % ย  31.9 % ย  (1.8)pp
ย  ย As percent of income before taxes ย  31.3 % ย  33.6 % ย  (2.3)pp
Ancillary revenue – third party products/scheduled passenger $5.06 $5.59 (9.5 )%
Hotel room nights (thousands) 144.4 163.4 (11.6 )%
Rental car days (thousands) 195.3 183.3 6.5 %

*Includes payment expenses and travel agency commissions.

Balance Sheet Highlights

  • Repurchased 491,000 shares for $47 million and have over $43 million in repurchase authority remaining. ย Year to date, the company has repurchased 880,991 shares at an average price of $85.64 per share
  • Issued $48.0 million in debt secured by four Airbus aircraft
  • Pre-paid $10.5 million in debt secured by four 757 aircraft
  • Spent $84.5 million in capital expenditures in the third quarter, the majority of which was driven by the purchase of five Airbus A320 aircraft
  • Closed a $10 million debt financing in October, secured by our new headquarters building acquired earlier this year
Unaudited (millions) 9/30/2013 12/31/2012 Change
Unrestricted cash* $303.6 $352.7 (13.9 )%
Total debt $179.7 $150.9 19.1 %
Total Allegiant Travel Company stockholders’ equity $402.4 $400.5 0.5 %
Nine months ended September 30,
Unaudited (millions) 2013 2012
Capital expenditures $161.6 $88.8 82.0 %

*Unrestricted cash includes investments in marketable securities.

At this time, Allegiant Travel Company provides the following guidance to investors, subject to revision.

Guidance, subject to revision
Revenue guidance October 2013 4Q13
Estimated PRASM year-over-year change 5 to 7% 3 to 5%
Estimated TRASM year-over-year change 1 to 3% 0.5 to 2.5%
Fixed fee and other revenue guidance 4Q13
Fixed fee and other revenue (millions) $3 to $5
Capacity guidance
System 4Q13 1Q14 FY13
Departure year-over-year growth (4) to 0% 8 to 12%
ASM year-over-year growth 4 to 8% 10 to 14% 8 to 10%
Scheduled
Departure year-over-year growth 2 to 6% 8 to 12%
ASM year-over-year growth 8 to 12% 10 to 14% 13 to 15%
Cost guidance 4Q13 FY13
CASM ex fuel – year-over-year change 4.5 to 6.5% 4 to 5%
CAPEX guidance FY13
Capital expenditures (millions) $170 to $180

ย CASM ex fuel – cost per available seat mile excluding fuel expense

Aircraft fleet plan by end of period
Aircraft 4Q13 4Q14
MD-80 (166*) 51 53
MD-80 (non 166*) 1
757 6 6
A319 3 4
A320 7 9
Total 68 72

*166 refers to MD-80s that have been converted to 166 seat aircraft, non 166 refers to those aircraft that will not be converted
ย Aircraft listed in table above include only in service aircraft

In other news, the company announcedย new, nonstop jet service from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport to Orlando-Sanford International Airport starting on February 12, 2014 and Punta Gorda Airport beginning on February 14, 2014.

This announcement marks the 100thย U.S. city served by Allegiant’s low-cost, nonstop service to popular vacation destinations, more than any other low-cost carrier in the U.S.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Allegiant Air’s McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) N408NV (msn 53246) in the Blue Man Group special livery lands at the Las Vegas hub and base. Allegiant moved to Concourse A at LAS on October 15.

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Allegiant to move to Concourse A at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) will move its Las Vegas operation today from Concourse D to Concourse A. This area was previously vacated by US Airways.

Read the full story from Las Vegas Review-Journal: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Allegiant Air’s Boeing 757-204 N902NV (msn 26964) climbs over the Strip at Las Vegas.

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FAA Airport Map for LAS:

LAS Airport Map (FAA)

Allegiant to add Concord, North Carolina, its 99th U.S. city

Allegiant AIr (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Concord, North Carolina (near Charlotte) and Sanford, Florida via Orlando-Sanford International Airport, beginning on December 20, 2013. Concord will be the 99thย U.S. city served by Allegiant.

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Concord Regional Airport (JQF) and Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) year-round.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N420NV (msn 49424) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport.

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