Allegiant Air will soon fly nonstop between Pittsburgh International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, filling a void left by Spirit Airlines after its collapse this month.
The route will go live Oct. 2, the budget carrier announced Tuesday, with flights operating year-round on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. One-way tickets are starting at a promotional rate of $59.
JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines also fly between the Pittsburgh and Fort Lauderdale airports.
Spirit served this popular route until its shutdown May 2 due to financial troubles.
Pittsburgh airport officials say they’re monitoring how other airlines respond to Spirit going out of business and are working to ensure travelers have as many options as possible.
Allegiant is adding the Pittsburgh-to-Fort Lauderdale flight as one of eight new routes to vacation destinations in Florida.
“We’re excited to announce these new routes and believe it is an important time for Allegiant to increase travel options in these markets,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer. “Our mission is to offer service where it is needed most, and these additions ensure that affordable fares can remain available to consumers despite industry changes.”
The airline offers 14 nonstop flights from the Pittsburgh airport, the third most of any carrier behind Breeze Airways and Southwest.
Allegiant acquired Sun Country Airlines last week in a $1.5 billion deal. The airlines do not have any overlap in their network out of Pittsburgh.