Summary
- Allegiant Air saw a drop in passengers carried despite offering more flights in July 2024, leading to a decrease in load factor.
- The airline recently announced expanded service from Syracuse to Myrtle Beach.
- Allegiant has faced delays in receiving Boeing aircraft, but remains committed to transitioning to an all-Airbus fleet.
Allegiant Air has released its July traffic numbers, and the report reveals that while its capacity increased, the number of passengers decreased year over year.
July 2024 report
Allegiant Air
is a low-cost carrier founded in 1997. Known for offering its low fares to smaller, underserved airports, Allegiant operates a point-to-point network. The airline is headquartered in Las Vegas, where it has the naming rights to the Las Vegas Raiders’ football stadium, Allegiant Stadium.
Yesterday, the airline released its traffic report for July, which shows that traffic decreased in 2024, when compared to 2023. In 2023, Allegiant transported 1,934,464 passengers, dropping 1.9% to 1,897,963 this year. This was despite offering 2.7% more flights than 2023.
Photo: Allegiant Air
Because of the increase in flights and decrease in passengers carried, the load factor dropped. In July 2023, Allegiant filled 91.2% of its seats, while this year, that rate dropped to 87.5%. This represented a 3.7% decrease.
Recent network changes
Earlier today, Allegiant and Syracuse Airport announced that the airline would connect Syracuse and Myrtle Beach starting in March 2025. Historically, Allegiant started the route in May but will now include spring break in its operations. Flights will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays.
The route was planned to coincide with the spring golf season in Myrtle Beach.
“We greatly appreciate our partner Allegiant recognizing and accommodating the springtime demand for nonstop service to Myrtle Beach. We can see the uptick in people traveling to Myrtle Beach during that March through May timeframe each year. This expansion of Allegiant’s nonstop schedule gives our travelers a much more convenient option to do so quickly and easily.”
Recent Allegiant news
Earlier this month, Allegiant became the
latest carrier to reduce its delivery outlook from Boeing
. The airline was supposed to have received its first MAX 8-200 earlier in the year, but that has been pushed back. Now, instead of receiving six new planes in the fall, Allegiant only expects to receive four.
Allegiant originally expected 12 MAX aircraft this year, but Boeing’s recent troubles have led to a reduction in its production levels. Now, the airline expects to receive the MAX 8-200 in September and forecasts reduced deliveries in the next two years.
Photo: Preston Fiedler | Simple Flying
In January 2022, Allegiant made headlines as it ordered Boeing aircraft. For years, Allegiant has been an all-Airbus operator, having retired the Boeing 757s in 2017 and the MD-80s in 2018. The airline first began its transition to an all-Airbus fleet in 2012. Now, it will become the first US airline to operate the MAX 8-200.
“While the heart of our strategy continues to center on previously-owned aircraft, the infusion of up to 100 direct-from-the-manufacturer 737s will bring numerous benefits for the future – including flexibility for capacity growth and aircraft retirements, significant environmental benefits, and modern configuration and cabin features our customers will appreciate.” – Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr, former Chairman and CEO, Allegiant
Today, the airline has a fleet of 131 planes, split between the A319 and the A320. Allegiant has 96 A320s and 35 A319s, averaging 15.3 and 19.1 years, respectively. Additionally, the airline has 50 737 MAX aircraft on order, split between 24 MAX 7s and 26 MAX 8-200s.