After this Sunday, the ongoing flights between Bridgeport and the Orlando area will come to an end. But for those that think it’s officially over, the end of the service is only a temporary break in the action as Allegiant Airlines begins its run of maintenance on its entire fleet of airlines.

 

“We’re beyond pleased with having Allegiant as a partner with the airport,” said North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock. “At the same time, I think a lot of our guys here are glad to get a break as they’ve handled thousands of passengers with these new flights. If it’s year-round, they’ll handle it, but I think they’re ready for a slowdown.”

 

The slowdown as a result of the shutdown doesn’t mean the end of the Allegiant service that was introduced in 2013. Instead, once maintenance is complete flights will resume. While most cities on the Allegiant roster will see flight service resume to Orlando in November, Bridgeport will see the service resume Oct. 2. Airport officials have previously announced that there would be a break in action between the middle of August and the start of October.

 

The good news is Rock said the continued renewal of the service several times already, along with Bridgeport being given an early start following the maintenance break as compared to others with Allegiant service to the Orlando area, is proof that the flights aren’t just working, but working fabulously. Rock said even concerns that the passenger totals would drop off in the warm weather months have proven to be off base.

 

“We booked those flights at a 96 percent capacity in the month of July,” Rock said. “The numbers through August 10 are also looking strong and they’re going to continue once we resume the flights. I have no doubt that the numbers will stay strong as this flight is working better than we could have ever hoped.”

 

Because of that, Ron Watson, the president of the Benedum Airport Authority (the airport’s governing body), said he thinks it’s not “pie in the sky” to talk about the potential of the airport adding another destination service through Allegiant or even another carrier.

 

“There are positives beyond a great flight to a great destination at a great price. With the community buying into this flight, we have real opportunities to look at other venues because we have an ongoing successful track record,” said Watson. “Myrtle Beach is definitely on the table and we hope that is something that comes to fruition. Eventually, we’d like to see several, maybe even a Las Vegas flight. We couldn’t have even considered realistically landing something like that a few years ago.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of an Allegiant Flight coming into Bridgeport, while Airport Director Rick Rock is pictured below. Top photo courtesy of NCWV Airport.