Airline passenger service is returning to Pease International Tradeport.
Allegiant Air, one of many carriers that attempted to serve the passenger market out of the Seacoast airport, is returning, after a six year hiatus. The airline and several others pulled out because of competition from Manchester and Boston airports.
But Eric Fletcher, a representative of the Las Vegas based airline, says that he believes the operation will be a success this time.
“Fares in Boston have continually gone up. This airport has become more and more convenient by comparison. This airport has become more and more convenient by comparison. Those are just a few of the factors that we considered that make this time perfect."
Fletcher says that the airline plans two trips to the Sanford Florida Airport near Orlando on a weekly basis, on Fridays and Mondays at a $100 round trip introductory fee.
Pease Development Authority Director Dave Mullen says that the airport offers Allegiant incentives to use the facility.
“We don’t charge landing fees, we don’t charge fuel flowage fees, we don’t charge passenger facility fees, so that’s all an attempt to be as aggressive as we can to drive down the operating cost for the airline.”
Mullen says talks with Allegiant to restart service began over two years ago.
Allegiant plans to begin its service to Florida on October 25th, and says that it may expand routes based on the success of that route.
