CONCORD – Concord Regional Airport will reach a new milestone this Dec. 20 when Florida-based Allegiant Air launches the airport’s first-ever scheduled air service, twice-weekly flights to Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Florida.
Allegiant said the route would make Concord the 99th US city it serves with what it described as “low-cost, nonstop service to popular vacation destinations.” The airline plans to kick off the new service with roundtrip fares as low as $99. (You’ll have to read the fine print.)
Allegiant said it will operate twice weekly between Concord Regional Airport (JQF) and Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) year-round, beginning Friday, Dec. 20. The company offers low fairs and sells bundles of flights, hotels, rental cars and attractions.
“We are pleased to extend our affordable and convenient travel option to the residents of Concord,” Allegiant President Andrew C. Levy said in a press release. “We are confident the community will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Orlando and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together through us.”
Flight days and times will be listed at allegiant.com.
For Concord Regional Airport, the announcement is a bright spot in a year of uncertainty. In March, the airport learned that federal “sequestration” budget cuts could mean the closing of its control tower, which could have limited or eliminated charter flights from the airport for NASCAR teams and other businesses.
Congress later passed legislation that saved the Concord tower and others at small airports around the country. But that legislation guarantees the tower can remain open only through the Sept. 30 end of the current fiscal year. Beyond that, the tower’s future remains uncertain, airport spokesman Peter Franzese said Tuesday.
Despite that question mark, Concord officials are eager for the airport’s first scheduled air service.
“We are excited to partner with Allegiant Air to implement the Mayor and City Council’s vision of Concord Regional Airport. This takes the facility to the next level and provides a fantastic opportunity for air service to the community,” Concord Aviation Director Rick Cloutier said in a statement.
Concord Airport and city officials and representatives of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce and Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau are planning a press conference about the announcement on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 10am at the airport, 9000 Aviation Boulevard NW, Concord.
RELATED COVERAGE AND LINKS
See previous coverage of Concord Regional Airport on DavidsonNews.net.
Concord Regional Airport web page, on the City of Concord website.