PANYNJ: Allegiant Air becomes fourth carrier at Stewart Airport with new service to Florida this fal

Allegiant To Begin Twice Weekly Service to St. Petersburg, Florida in October

Air travelers at Stewart International Airport will gain additional flight choices when a fourth airline begins service at the airport this fall, as Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based airline, today announced two flights a week to Clearwater International Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The service to St. Petersburg will complement Stewart's daily roster of flights to Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Detroit and Philadelphia. Allegiant joins JetBlue, Delta and US Airways in providing services to the Hudson Valley airport.

"The Port Authority is committed to expanding commercial service at Stewart International Airport," said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. "The Port Authority is currently making significant upgrades to Stewart's terminal and both runways in preparation for increased passenger growth."

"Opening our airports to new carriers is a fundamental part of the Port Authority's aviation mission," said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. "Additional airline and destination options will benefit our customers by increasing competition at all of the agency's airports."

The Port Authority took over Stewart Airport in 2007 and has since invested approximately $70 million on an array of improvements, including upgrades to the airport's passenger terminal and parking infrastructure. The agency also has committed more than $130 million on several upcoming projects, including a major runway rehabilitation; a terminal expansion; and a new state crime lab funded by the Port Authority, in exchange for security services provided by the New York State Police. About 365,000 passengers flew out of Stewart Airport in 2012.

Allegiant Air, based in Las Vegas, focuses on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations. The company operates a low-cost, high efficiency, all-jet passenger airline and is adding eight Airbus A319 aircraft and nine Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet this year. Allegiant will help offer Stewart's passengers more travel choices to Florida, while providing the potential to boost overall passenger growth at the airport.