Big Flats – Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli joined airport officials in announcing Allegiant Air will be adding non-stop service from the Elmira Corning Regional Airport to Orlando, Florida.  The announcement was made today at a press conference held at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport. 

Beginning November 20th low-fare carrier Allegiant Air will provide two non-stop flights per week to the Orlando Sanford International Airport.  The airport is located 18 miles northeast of Orlando, Florida and provides easy access to all Orlando area attractions.

Tom Santulli, Chemung County Executive said, “The Twin Tiers welcomes Allegiant Air to the Elmira Corning Regional Airport with open arms.  These regularly-scheduled direct flights to Orlando will fill a need that we’ve all felt for some time.  This new service will be good for our economy and good for our residents.  I am confident that these jets will be filled up with happy travelers.”

Airport Manager Ann Crook added, “Chemung County leaders have demonstrated outstanding vision in creating the transportation nexus between I-86 and the Airport.  Allegiant Air’s choice to come to Elmira Corning Regional Airport highlights the value to the community of providing close, convenient interstate access and robust airport infrastructure.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer offered these comments, “I am pleased to join in today’s announcement that the Elmira Corning Regional Airport has a new partner in its efforts to provide top-notch air service to residents in the Southern Tier. As a long term advocate for Upstate New York air service I have always believed that this region of our state has the ability to provide a lucrative market for carriers. I was happy for the opportunity to articulate my support of the Southern Tier to Mr. Gallagher and am thrilled that Allegiant Air has joined me in recognizing the value of the upstate market. I happily welcome them to the Southern Tier and wish them great success at this first rate facility.”

Schumer has been a strong advocate for the creation of a competitive market in Upstate New York and bringing affordable air service to its residents since being first elected to the Senate in 1999. He has been instrumental in luring low cost carriers to Upstate Airports, fighting for FAA funds to ensure aviation infrastructure is top notch to promote increased capacity, and ensuring flights are safe and on time.  In August of 2008, Schumer wrote to Allegiant Air President and Chief Executive Officer Maurice Gallagher on behalf of the Southern Tier region, touting the merits of its facilities and urging the carrier to locate service within the region.

“We are extremely pleased to expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop jet service to New York’s Southern Tier and Pennsylvania's Northern Tier,” Maurice J. Gallagher, Allegiant Air president & CEO, said. “This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only nonstop, air service from the Twin Tiers to Orlando.”

The new flights to Orlando will operate twice weekly, with service Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart Elmira Corning Regional Airport at 10:20 a.m. arriving in Orlando Sanford International Airport at 12:55 p.m. Flights leaving Orlando will depart at 7 a.m. arriving in Elmira at 9:40 a.m. (all flight times are local.) 

To celebrate its expansion to Elmira Corning Regional Airport, Allegiant is offering one-way introductory sale fares of $89.  The offer is limited and not available on all flights and must be purchased by Oct. 15, 2008, for complete travel by Feb. 5, 2009. After the introductory fare period, regular one-way fares on the route start as low as $109 one-way.

At Allegiant, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way and a Saturday night stay is never required. With a focus on leisure travel, the company emphasizes low-fares, non-stop flights, and through their affiliate Allegiant Vacations, attractive and affordable complete vacation packages including roundtrip air and three-night hotel stay for as low as $241. (Price is per person, based on a three-night hotel stay at the Howard Johnson’s Maingate East and double occupancy and reflects a Thursday arrival and Sunday departure.)

Reservations may be made through the company’s website at www.allegiantair.com, the airline’s Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.

Allegiant Air, a subsidiary of Las Vegas based Allegiant Travel Company, is the self-proclaimed “Official Airline for Sunshine”. Allegiant Air is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Las Vegas, Nev., Phoenix, Ariz., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Orlando, Fla. and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. The Company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services.