Biz Buzz: Airline that flies through Santa Maria expands to Hawaii

Allegiant Travel, the Las Vegas parent company of discount commercial carrier Allegiant Air, is expanding its service into Hawaii.

The low-cost carrier currently offers regional service from Santa Maria to Las Vegas twice a day, according to schedules published online by the Santa Maria Public Airport District.

The company is buying six Boeings over the next few years at the cost of up to $90 million to start the service, according to a company announcement.

“The 757 is a new aircraft type for Allegiant, but we otherwise see this program as consistent with our existing business model,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant President and CFO.

Although company spokeswoman Sabrina LoPiccolo said the company was not ready to announce whether or not Santa Maria would have the new service, she did say Allegiant planned the nonstop Hawaii service for smaller city markets that could include Santa Maria.

The service to Hawaii could start the end of this year or beginning of 2011, she added.

Read more: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/03/16/1069403/biz-buzz-airline-that-flies-through.html#ixzz0j8HCqo8h

— Melanie Cleveland, San Luis Obispo Tribune

Published: Wednesday, Mar. 17, 2010