CEREDO -- As Allegiant Air increases the number of low-fare destinations it flies to from Tri-State Airport in Ceredo, the airport will continue to grow and expand, said airport director Larry G. Salyers.
Since Allegiant Air began offering flights to Orlando, Fla., in November 2006, Salyers said the company has made a major impact on the growth of the airport. The low-fare air carrier has since increased the destinations to three, including trips to Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale.
According to data released by the Tri-State Airport Authority, the airport's passenger traffic increased 62 percent from 2006 to 2007 and represented the highest annual boardings at the airport since 1998. Total passenger traffic was 126,255, compared to 78,054 in 2006. Much of the success, Salyers said, can be attributed to Allegiant Air's service.
"They have made a huge impact to the airport. They have brought 150-seat jets to our market and selling the seats at a low fare," Salyers said. "People used to drive an hour to fly out of the airport, but now people are driving three hours and coming the distance to fly on Allegiant Air, not Delta Air."
The Tri-State Airport was even recognized by Allegiant Air in early February as the airport with the lowest airport operating costs.
The airport authority found that Allegiant Air carried 30 percent of the passengers for 2007. Due to its success in the Tri-State, Salyers said the airline intends on increasing the number of flights to Florida in the summer months. Salyers said five weekly flights to Orlando, two weekly flights to Tampa Bay and two weekly flights to Fort Lauderdale will soon be implemented during peak times.
Allegiant Air, Salyers said, has also boosted the local economy by increasing the catchment area, the area from which the airport is attracting new passengers. Allegiant's flights to the south have drawn passengers from eight counties in Florida, Salyers said.
"We've had people with four kids fly out of here that would have normally driven. But for $300 or $400 for a roundtrip, they are taking advantage of the flights," Salyers said. "Normally, those families would've driven to Florida or to Columbus (Ohio) and flown, but now they're driving to Huntington for the low fares."
Tri-State Airport Authority member Kevin Gunderson says it's time to promote West Virginia.
"We have to promote our whitewater rafting, cultural events and hiking trails to Floridians," he said. "We have the opportunity to benefit from people traveling both ways."
The increased destinations and low airfare, Gunderson said, has helped the airport become a regional airport, capable of serving the Tri-State.
As Allegiant has increased the number of boardings at the Tri-State Airport, the airport's other major carriers, Delta Air Lines and US Airways Express, also saw strong growth in 2007. Though the airlines do not fly to the same destinations, the competitive prices set by Allegiant Air has contributed to the other carriers lowering their rates, Gunderson said.
"Air traffic has increased by double digits for all the carriers," Gunderson said. "Since Allegiant offers low-rate flights, the other carriers have adjusted their fares to be competitive."
Delta Air Lines, which provides nonstop service to Cincinnati, experienced a 39 percent increase over 2006, representing a 29 percent market share. US Airways Express, which provides nonstop service to Charlotte, saw a 15 percent increase in passengers and captured a 41 percent market share.
Salyers said the continued partnership with Allegiant has given the airport an opportunity to look to the future and plan improvements to better serve the public. With the limited parking at the airport, Salyers said they are looking into the construction of a parking facility. Also, expansions to the baggage system and additions to the terminal building are also possible improvements in the future.
Gunderson said they are also considering extending the runway from 6,500 to 7,000 feet. An extended runway, needed for bigger jets, could entice Allegiant Air to begin offering flights to Las Vegas, he said. Instead of applying for grant money from two West Virginia senators, the authority, through regional cooperation, applies to six senators in three states, Gunderson said.
With representatives from all three surrounding states on the Tri-State Airport Authority, Gunderson and Salyers said they are taking advantage of the regional cooperation and looking toward the future.
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