For about a year, North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock has stated multiple times the airline responsible for destination flights from Bridgeport to Orlando and Myrtle Bearch would soon begin replacing its entire fleet of planes. A little more than a week ago, the first of those new planes from Allegiant Airlines made a trip into the NCWV Airport.

 

According to Airport Administration Manager Shawn Long, Allegiant flew a brand new Airbus A320 aircraft into Bridgeport. The flight was to take passengers to the Orlando Sanford International Aiport on Sunday, June 11.

 

“This plane just received its certification from the FAA to operate on May 15,” said Long. “It was a sight to see.”

 

Although the new aircraft had not been involved in any additional flights since that time to either Orlando or Myrtle Bearch by Friday, Long said eventually there will be more before the entire fleet of planes is replaced.

 

“This was actually the first new one we have seen. Allegiant has told us that it is their goal to convert all their aircraft to the Airbus within the next couple of years,” said Long.

 

If flights continue between Bridgeport and the two destinations, that could increase the number of passengers having the ability to make the destination flights. The Airbus A320 has 186 seats, which is up from the aircraft currently utilized.

 

Long said the planes Allegiant is primarily using and has been using is the McDonnell Douglas MD80. The plane seats 166 passengers.

 

“They plan on retiring (the MD80) aircraft as the transition will continue,” said Long.

 

While Long and others at the airport immeidately noticed the new plane and its look, he said more than one passenger – some of whom are regulars on the Orlando flight – noticed it as well.

 

“Several of the passengers reamrked that they loved the look and noted that it looked brand new and shiny,” said Long. “It’s a bonus when your passengers are taking note of those things.”

 

Long said as the transition carries out, he anticipates the flights to Orlando will be the first to see more of the Airbus due to Sanford being a main base for Allegiant. He said over the next two summers, travelers should see the same transition from the MD80 to the A320 during the Myrtle Beach fligths if the plane replacement continues as planned and the flights from Bridgeport continue.

 

“We feel confident we’ll continue the flights because Orlando has been strong since the beginnng and right now the numbers are amazing,” said Long. “Myrtle Beach, as always, is also doing great and Allegiant has let us know they’re pleased with what we’re doing here, which is a result of the public utilizing this service.”

 

Long said the Orlando flights remain well over 90 percent of capacity on average. He said the Myrtle Beach flights are over 85 percent capacity on each flight.

 

Editor’s Note: Picture of the new Airbus A320 courtesy of Greg Lloyd, while Shawn Long is pictured below.