TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Nonstop air travel to three Florida destinations has arrived in Traverse City.
Adventurers on a budget can now fly from Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City to Orlando, Fort Myers and Tampa on low-cost Allegiant Air flights.
The first flight from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport near Tampa arrived at Cherry Capital on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Passengers were welcomed to the Mitten State with cake, Grand Traverse Pie Company treats and other swag.
Flights from Orlando Sanford International Airport and Punta Gorda Airport near Fort Myers began Thursday, Oct. 17. Allegiant will begin offering service from Traverse City to Phoenix on Nov. 13.
A video of an Allegiant Florida flight landing in Traverse City was posted on the airport’s Facebook page on Wednesday.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant, a budget airline, will operate twice weekly flights from Traverse City to the new Florida destinations.
Allegiant is the first “ultra-low-cost carrier” to fly out of Northern Michigan, Kevin Klein, Cherry Capital Airport director, said in a statement. A partnership with Allegiant has been a long-time goal of the airport.
“These new flights continue to show the growth and development our Pure Michigan region has to offer travelers, Klein said. “Low-cost, high-value vacation packages, nonstop, and lots of fun.”
Over the summer, Cherry Capital partnered with United Airlines and American Airlines to offer nonstop flights to Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. and to Charlotte, North Carolina. The new flights helped boost passenger numbers for a successful vacation season, 9&10 News reports.