Allegiant to open crew base in Austin

Allegiant Air will invest $75m to open a crew base in Austin, Texas as it explores ways to benefit from the rebound in leisure travel following the year-long coronavirus crisis. The Las Vegas-headquartered ultra-low-cost carrier says on 6 April that 89 “high-wage” jobs will be created at the Austin-Bergstrom International airport, which it has served since 2013. Three of its Airbus A320s will be based there. The base will be operational from 18 November. “Having locally-based operations will mean opportunities for expanded hours, as well as more – and more frequent – flight offerings for visitors and locals alike,” says Drew Wells, Allegiant’s senior vice-president of revenue. Allegiant flies between Austin and its home airport Las Vegas, and to 14 other destinations, including to Orlando, Cincinnati, Memphis, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. “The base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will bring additional flexibility for flight times and future route opportunities, as locally-based crew members return home nightly to Austin,” Allegiant says.<br/>