Roughly 18 months after the North Central West Virginia Airport began offering destination service on Allegiant to Orlando from Bridgeport, they officially announced another new destination flight today. Allegiant will once again team up with the local airport to offer destination service; this time with twice weekly direct flights to Myrtle Beach.

 

The flights will begin June 5, 2015 and last until Aug. 17 2015. The flights will be run twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

 

“You’re looking at 40 minutes to be at the beach instead of up to 10 hours in the car with screaming children and traffic issues,” said Ron Watson, president of the Benedum Airport Authority, the governing body of the NCWV Airport, following this morning’s official announcement.

 

The Bridgeport airport was one of 22 new routes being offered by the low-cost air service provider. NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock said it’s likely the local airport has a unique distinction among all the routes being offered by Allegiant.

 

“If we’re not the smallest, we’re among the smallest,” said Rock. “The good news is that with our Orlando flight we’re posting big numbers that match or surpass a lot of others. We hope that we’ll do the same with the Myrtle Beach flight once it begins.”

 

Individuals were already booking flights this morning, even prior to the official announcement as the word had been out on several media sources, including Connect-Bridgeport.com. Rock said before the end of today’s event, which was prior to noon, that booking had already approached 50.

 

“We are extremely excited to bring Myrtle Beach service to Clarksburg (CKB, which is the call letters for the airport through the FAA),” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant Travel Company senior vice president of planning. “We know Clarksburg travelers already love to take advantage of our ultra-low fares to Orlando, and we’re glad we can now offer them a second world-class vacation destination.”

 

To celebrate this announcement, Allegiant will be running two promotional offers. One-way fares from the North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) to Myrtle Beach can be purchased for as low as $44.

 

“Allegiant if very excited to announce this,” said Brandon Myers, Allegiant Public Relations Specialist, who flew in from Las Vegas to make the official announcement. “ … This is a huge sale in the history of our company. Travelers can save up to $500 on their next vacation.”

 

Allegiant offers travelers assistance in planning their entire trips to various destinations. To be able to take advantage of the offer Myers mentioned individuals need to go to www.allegiant.com/SAVE500. The savings are available on trips from Bridgeport to Myrtle Beach as well as Florida. To see full details on the $44 fares, and any additional costs that may be incurred – along with the complete schedule of flights – www.allegiant.com.

“We’re encouraging travelers to go and book and grab those fares before they run out,” said Myers.

 

The flights will depart at 7 p.m. from the NCWV Airport. Rock said that should give everyone enough time to depart their Allegiant jet and still have a Friday evening out on the town.

 

“You can be at Captain George’s (seafood buffet) by 8:30 p.m.,” said Rock, amidst laughter. “ … This is a great day for our airport and this community.”

 

Watson and Rock stressed the success of the flight will be determined by North Central West Virginia flyers, as well as those flying from beyond the state’s borders. Rock and Watson have said at multiple past Airport Authority meetings that travelers from Pittsburgh, Maryland, Ohio and elsewhere have driven to Bridgeport for the Orlando flight.

 

“Although the airport is owned by the citizens of Harrison and Marion counties, our whole catch pin area is about 17 counties. We consider that (area to) have ownership in this airport. This is their airport. We want everyone to know that it belongs to all of us,” said Watson.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Brandon Myers with Allegiant, left, and Airport Authority President Ron Watson after the banner was unveiled. Second photo is of the crowd on hand, while NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock is interviewed in the third photo. At the bottom is an Allegiant jet coming into Bridgeport for an Orlando flight.