Allegiant Air works to take full advantage of lower fuel prices with a major push in off-peak flying

Allegiant Air's business strategy has always been unique in the US market place - and even globally. Although the company has slightly modified its approach of linking small markets with large leisure destinations during the past couple of years, Allegiant's business model has emerged as one that seems to withstand cyclicality and other challenges that airlines face.

During 2015 Allegiant has not escaped the unit revenue degradation that has swept through most of the US industry. But its decline stems more from internal factors than Allegiant's exposure to the US domestic regions enduring the fiercest pricing pressure. Allegiant has opted to tilt its business in a direction to maximise the benefits of lower fuel costs, which show no signs of disappearing in the short to medium term.

Allegiant is steering its business toward off-peak flying, which is driving down unit revenues and margins, but lifting profits. It is a similar move adopted by larger airlines, but Allegiant's niche business model creates more opportunity for the company to push the envelope on marginal flying.