Airline to link gambling meccas

I found this article and was a little upset. I think the Gulf Coast should be focusing on areas that don’t have access to gambling. I think they would get a lot more visitors if there were able to get more low cost carriers flying in and out of Biloxi/Gulfport. For instance, there is nothing from Orlando and only AirTran from Tampa. When I am comparing flights, it is isn’t much more to fly to Vegas..

Allegiant Air offers nonstops to Las Vegas

By MICHAEL A. BELL
mbell@sunherald.com

GULFPORT – Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will announce this morning a new airline that will offer nonstop flights to Las Vegas, linking the gambling meccas in an effort to bolster the Coast’s recovering economy and the tourism industry.

Allegiant Air, which in January 2006 began nonstop jet service to Vegas from Shreveport, La., will soon begin its operations on the Coast. Details about the partnership will be released today at the airport.

“We’re bringing a new airline and new service that will be a tremendous boost to the tourism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Jim Pitts, the airport’s director of marketing and business development.

Allegiant touts itself as an all-jet, low-cost carrier with a focus on making leisure travel easy for customers. They package expenses such as the costs of flight with hotel fares.

Airline spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said the Coast was attractive because it showcased a “good traffic pattern” and the economy is growing.

“Anytime we move people in and out of our areas – locals, visitors, whatever – we are better for it,” said Rae Anne Ryan, certified travel consultant and owner of Travel Affiliates in Gulfport. “We did more business and better business to Las Vegas after the casinos came to the Coast. What we saw was that a lot of people realize the recreational value that the casinos offered.”

Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr said the partnership will be beneficial to the Coast. “We’ve been building up this momentum all this time. Now it’s good to see someone here taking advantage of it.”

Founded in 1997, the Vegas-headquartered airline is publicly owned, and according to news reports, has offered free flights to Vegas when customers purchase vacation packages. The carrier’s charter customers include Harrah’s Entertainment, owner of Grand Casino in Biloxi.

Just over two years ago, the airline flew out of 14 cities to Vegas. Now that number is 40, and it has also expanded operations to Orlando and Tampa Bay.

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