Allegiant Opens Base at DSM

The Des Moines International Airport Celebrates Launch of Allegiant Aircraft Base 

Allegiant Airlines Opens 20th Base of Operations and First Post-Pandemic  

Des Moines, Iowa (June 30, 2021):  On July 1, 2021, Des Moines Airport Authority leaders will join Allegiant Airlines in celebrating the official opening of a two-aircraft base at the Des Moines International Airport (DSM).  The opening heralds the leisure airline’s 20th base of operations – and its first new base since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. This $50 million investment locates two Airbus A320 aircraft in Des Moines, bringing at least 66 new, high-wage jobs to the community, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and ground personnel.   

“Opening a base of operation at Des Moines International is a historic occasion that will positively impact the lives of Iowans in air service offerings and in supporting the economic vitality of the region,” said Kevin Foley, Des Moines Airport Authority Executive Director.  “Iowans continue to prove travel is essential to the quality of life here, and the Airport Authority is committed to growing air service connectivity to meet rising demand.”  

Allegiant began service at DSM in 2003 and currently offers ten non-stop, seasonal routes to Orlando-Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater, Punta Gorda, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, and Sarasota Florida; Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Nashville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas.  In conjunction with the base opening on July 1, Allegiant will launch inaugural service to Houston, Texas, Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California. Earlier this week, the airline announced service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida beginning in October, for a total of 14 non-stop routes, the most destinations served by an airline operating at Des Moines International Airport.    

“We are proud to launch base operations at Des Moines International Airport and further enrich our presence as a true hometown airline in the community,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s vice president of revenue and planning. “Having locally-based crews and aircraft will expand options for new routes and affordable, convenient opportunities for nonstop travel for Iowans, and for visitors to the state - and will fuel our growth in Des Moines well into the future.”    

The base celebration is open to the media to conduct interviews with Airport Authority and Allegiant personnel following brief remarks; however, RSVPs are required as attendees will be escorted through the TSA checkpoint.   

Photography of the landing and takeoff of aircraft from the runway is limited due to escort requirements.  The first media requests will be granted.  

About the Des Moines Airport Authority  

The Des Moines Airport Authority is an independent entity that oversees the operations and maintenance of the Des Moines International Airport. The Airport Authority works to improve air service quality and make air travel to and from Des Moines more convenient and pleasurable. For more information, visit www.flydsm.com and follow @dsmairport on Twitter and DSM International Airport on Facebook.  

Allegiant Travel Company 

Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with premier leisure experiences - from vacations to hometown family entertainment. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant serves more than 450 routes across the country, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. Allegiant’s Sunseeker Resorts subsidiary is currently under construction with its inaugural resort property, Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida - a unique waterside integrated resort like no other. And a growing group of Allegiant Nonstop family entertainment centers offer state-of-the art indoor games and attractions to thrill seekers of all ages. For more information, visit us at Allegiant.com. Media information, including photos, is available at http://gofly.us/iiFa303wrtF 

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