Gov. Scott: Allegiant to Establish New Aircraft Base at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Press Release

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant) has chosen to establish a new, two-aircraft base with year-round routes at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). The aircraft base will create 65 new jobs and bring an anticipated $418 million in tourism revenue to the area over the next five years. Allegiant is investing more than $49 million to establish the year-round base, which will house two Airbus aircraft. The new Destin base will also allow Allegiant to offer new routes to five cities. Allegiant currently supports more than 25,000 Florida jobs and generates nearly $3 billion in annual economic impact in the state.

Governor Scott said, "I am proud to announce Allegiant has chosen to establish a new aircraft base at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, which will create 65 new jobs. Today's announcement is a great reminder of how our tourism industry supports Florida business and communities and creates new opportunities for our families. Tourism partners like Allegiant work hand-in-hand with VISIT FLORIDA to bring more visitors to our state and we must make sure this success continues by fully funding VISIT FLORIDA at $100 million. I look forward to seeing Allegiant's success in Destin and across the state as we continue to welcome families from all across the world to Florida."

Allegiant, which employs more than 4,000 team members across the country, launched its first Florida destination in 2005, and today serves seven destinations in the state with more than 200 routes. Allegiant's service in Destin-Fort Walton Beach began with six routes in 2016 and expanded to 16 cities in 2017. The new Destin base will become the airline's 14th year-round aircraft base. Allegiant plans to immediately begin hiring pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians and ground personnel to support operations. Positions are expected to offer average salaries more than double the area's average wage.

The five new routes will operate twice weekly and expand on the service Allegiant currently operates to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), bringing the total number of Allegiant routes to VPS to 21. The new flights will bring nearly 25,000 additional visitors to the area. New seasonal service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) includes Bentonville, Arkansas via Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), Concord, North Carolina via Concord Regional Airport (USA), Lexington, Kentucky via Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Evansville, Indiana via Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), and Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina via Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

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