Allegiant Air Says It Will Not Proceed With Plans to Start Baton Rouge—Las Vegas Flights; Airline Says Advanced Bookings Do Not Demonstrate Sufficient Demand for the Flights

Business Wire, April 2, 2004

Business Editors/Travel Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2004

Customers Who Booked Flights Will Not Incur Credit Card Charges

Allegiant Air today said that it will not proceed with plans to start Baton Rouge--Las Vegas flights in May as announced last month because of light bookings.

"We appreciate the support and efforts of the Baton Rouge Airport, community officials, travel agents and customers who supported us as we tried to get this service started," said Maurice J. Gallagher, President and CEO. "Unfortunately, advanced bookings on the Baton Rouge--Las Vegas route are well below levels that would demonstrate sufficient demand for the service we planned to offer. We apologize for any inconvenience this change causes."

Allegiant said customers with reservations will be contacted by the airline and advised that the flights will not operate, and that they will not incur any credit card charges.

The airline announced March 16 that it would offer four roundtrips per week between Baton Rouge and Las Vegas starting May 10. The airline was offering an introductory fare of $89 each way.

Allegiant said this change has no effect on its plans to start service linking Sioux Falls with Las Vegas and Bismarck with Las Vegas starting May 6 and May 7 respectively. The airline said it is encouraged by its advanced booking trends on both the new Bismarck and Sioux Falls routes.

About the Company

Allegiant is an all-jet, low-fare, low cost passenger airline providing high quality customer service. At Allegiant, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way and a Saturday night stay is never required. The airline features 21 Las Vegas hotel properties in its Allegiant Vacations air-and-hotel vacation package program. From its base in Las Vegas, Allegiant provides non-stop service to Colorado Springs, Colo.; Fresno, Calif.; Wichita, Kan.; Des Moines, Iowa; Lansing, Mich.; Fort Collins/Loveland, Colo., Peoria, Ill; Bismarck, North Dakota starting May 7; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota starting May 6. The airline also operates charter service throughout the U.S. to Mexico and Canada. The carrier's charter customers include Harrah's Resorts, Apple Vacations, U.S. Forest Service, collegiate athletic organizations, film production companies and corporations.

Allegiant's fleet includes nine jet aircraft, including two 130-seat MD-87s, four 164-165 seat MD-82s, and three 161-162 seat MD-83s. The airline has contracted for the purchase of additional aircraft to be delivered in 2004.

Allegiant Air is a privately owned airline founded in 1997. The airline's headquarters are in Las Vegas.