DES MOINES, IA (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that once again the state of Iowa has maintained the highest credit rating possible. "Fitch Ratings affirmed that Iowa is a Triple A state," Fitzgerald said. "Additionally, they upgraded Iowa's school infrastructure and Vision Iowa fund bonds to AA from AA-."

According to Fitch's report, "The state has a careful and conservative approach to financial operations and has consistently achieved budgetary balance and maintenance of sizeable reserves despite revenue declines associated with the recent downturn."

"The experts say that Iowa is among the elite states," Fitzgerald stated. "They continue to recognize the first-rate fiscal management and strong economy of our state and we can stand out as a model to other states."

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ALLEGIANT TRAVEL COMPANY

SECOND QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS

34th Consecutive Profitable Quarter

Fully Diluted Earnings per Share of $.62

Las Vegas, Nev., August 1, 2011 /GLOBE NEWSWIRE/ - Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today reported the following financial results for the 2^nd quarter 2011 and comparisons to prior year equivalents:

*Total system includes scheduled service, fixed-fee contract and non-revenue flying

"We are very proud to report our 34^th consecutive profitable quarter," stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company.  "I'd like to thank our Team Members for their great efforts and contributions to another successful quarter.

"Revenues have been very strong.  Scheduled service revenues were up almost 24% versus 2^nd quarter 2010 despite a reduction in capacity.  The $19 increase in revenue per passenger more than offset the $15 per passenger increase in fuel cost during the quarter.

"We are also very excited about the addition of the first 757 to our operating certificate, which occurred on July 1.  We recently began operating this 217 seat aircraft on two of our Las Vegas routes, McAllen, Texas and Rockford, Illinois and have been receiving excellent feedback from our customers.  Having the additional seats during the peak summer travel period is proving to be quite valuable.  We are now working on preparing our application to the FAA for obtaining the requisite ETOPS approvals we need in order to commence Hawaii flights which we hope to be able to begin next summer.

"The introduction of the 757, our Hawaii expansion and the previously announced MD-80 seat expansion projects are all important to the company and we are excited to see progress on all fronts.  Our Team Members have been working diligently to complete these product additions as well as continue to provide our customers with low cost access to our world class destinations," concluded Gallagher.

Andrew C. Levy, President of Allegiant Travel Company, stated, "We are very pleased with our revenue performance during the 2^nd quarter.  We produced the highest total fare in our company's history, driven by increases in the base air fare, and both air-related and third party ancillary revenues.  A 2.6% reduction in capacity was a key factor enabling this strong revenue performance.  We have again proven we can thrive during periods of high fuel price volatility if we are prudent in how we allocate our capacity.

"Strength in revenue has continued as we enter this 3^rd quarter, again aided by a tight capacity plan.  Capacity this quarter will be lower as compared with the 3^rd quarter of 2010 and we again expect to post substantial increases in unit revenues as more fully described in the guidance section later in the release.

"Our current plan for the 4^th quarter shows slight growth in capacity, mostly attributable to having a full quarter flying our first 757 as well as a small contribution from the presence of some re-configured MD-80 aircraft with 166 seats in the operating fleet.

"Finally, we again experienced strong growth in our third party ancillary revenue primarily resulting from greater volume and yield in hotel room sales.  Room nights grew over 12% versus the 2^nd quarter last year, with almost half of the increase generated away from our traditionally strong Las Vegas market.  Growth in the third party segment is a high priority and we continue to make investments in management and technology to further that goal," concluded Levy.

(a) includes credit card fees and travel agency commissions

Scott Sheldon, SVP and CFO of Allegiant Travel Company, stated, "During the 2^nd quarter, we experienced a 27% increase in unit costs - cost per passenger was $115.24 compared with $90.96 in the 2^nd quarter 2010 - but the results were as projected.  Fuel costs per passenger were 37% higher, and non-fuel per passenger costs were up by 18% or slightly more than $9.

"The increase in non-fuel unit costs was mostly due to reduced fleet utilization and $4.8 million of special items or $3.08 per passenger.  These expenses included 757 pre-operating costs, manual integrations, the retirement of one MD-87 and the write down and impairment charges related to our engine consignment program.  The increase in non-fuel per passenger costs would have been only $3.30 or 6.5% excluding these special items and if fleet utilization had remained unchanged on a year over year basis.

"Apart from fuel, we experienced the most unit cost pressure in the maintenance area due to the execution of our engine overhaul and repair strategy as we have described in the past.  We continue to project expenses between $20 and $25 million in 2011 for the overhaul of 30 to 35 engines, but the majority of these expenditures will occur in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of this year.

"While our full year 2011 engine operating expense projection remains unchanged, we have increased our projection for total cash outlays.  We now expect to increase our capital expenditures to take advantage of current opportunities in the secondary engine market which will replenish our engine sparing levels and enable us to better manage the timing and costs associated with major engine overhaul events in the future.  Please see the table below for more detailed information on this area.

"Lastly, our unrestricted cash balance (including short term investments) grew slightly during the 2^nd quarter to $317 million, up $11 million from the end of the 1^st quarter.  During the quarter, we repurchased approximately 34,300 shares for $1.6 million and we currently have $44.9 million in remaining board authorized authority," concluded Sheldon.

At this time, Allegiant Travel Company provides the following guidance to investors, subject to revision.

CASM ex fuel - cost per available seat mile excluding fuel expense

• An operating fleet of 51 MD-80 and one 757 aircraft through the 3^rd quarter of 2011.
• 2011 capital expenditures of approximately $140 million.

Allegiant Travel Company will host a conference call with analysts at 4:30 East Coast time today, August 1^st, 2011, to discuss its 2^nd quarter 2011 financial results. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available via the Company's Investor Relations website homepage at http://ir.allegiant.com. The webcast will also be archived in the "Events & Presentations" section of the website.

About the Company

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to major leisure destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Fla., Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla., Phoenix-Mesa, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the Company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services.  ALGT/G

Media Inquiries: Jordan McGee +1-702-589-7260
mediarelations@allegiantair.com
Investor Inquiries: Chris Allen +1-702-851-7365
ir@allegiantair.com

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only estimates or predictions based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include our statements regarding future unit revenue, future maintenance expenses, future operating expense, our ability to obtain regulatory approval to operate our 757 aircraft in extended overwater operations, our expected progress on reconfiguration of our MD-80 aircraft, ASM growth, departure growth, fleet growth,  fixed-fee and other revenues and expected capital expenditures, as well as other information concerning future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "believe," "expect," "guidance," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate", "project", "hope"  or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements generally may be found in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These risk factors include, without limitation, the effect of the economic downturn on leisure travel, increases in fuel prices, terrorist attacks, risks inherent to airlines, demand for air services to our leisure destinations from the markets served by us, our ability to implement our growth strategy, unionization efforts, our dependence on our leisure destination markets, our ability to add, renew or replace gate leases, our competitive environment, problems with our aircraft, dependence on fixed fee customers, our reliance on our automated systems, economic and other conditions in markets in which we operate, aging aircraft and other governmental regulation, increases in maintenance costs and cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results.

Any forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

Detailed financial information follows:

Allegiant Travel Company

Consolidated Statements of Income

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(1) The Company's unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to cash dividends at the same rate as common stock.  The Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the periods presented reflect the two-class method mandated by accounting guidance for the calculation of earnings per share.  The two-class method adjusts both the net income and shares used in the calculation.  Application of the two-class method did not have a significant impact on the Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the periods presented.

Allegiant Travel Company

Operating Statistics

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

(Unaudited)

* except load factor and percent of sales through website, which is percentage point change

Allegiant Travel Company

Consolidated Statements of Income

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Landmark Law Increases Higher Education Opportunities for Children of Immigrants

CHICAGO - August 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed historic legislation to increase education opportunities to children of immigrants in Illinois. The Illinois DREAM Act creates a privately-funded scholarship program for high school graduates from immigrant families who wish to attend college.

"All children have the right to a first-class education," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois DREAM Act creates more opportunities for the children of immigrants to achieve a fulfilling career, brighter future and better life through higher education."

In addition, the new law allows any person with a Social Security or taxpayer identification number to participate in a state-operated college savings pool. It also requires high school counselors to provide college information to all children of immigrants. Children of immigrants will have unprecedented opportunities to access higher education as a result of the Illinois Dream Act.

"We should be opening, not shutting doors of opportunity for young students regardless of how or why they are living in Illinois," said President Cullerton. "This new law moves the state beyond the rhetoric of equal opportunity by making the dream of a college education a reality for more of Illinois' outstanding students."

The new law was one of Governor Quinn's top priorities during the spring legislative session. The Governor recognized that it would ensure that Illinois continues to lead the nation in increasing access to top-quality education, which is critical to retaining our best and brightest students and ensuring our continued success in the competitive global economy.

Students, community leaders and elected officials from across the state joined Governor Quinn to celebrate the new law that brings more affordability and better access to higher education in Illinois.  

"Immigrants are a driving force in our city's cultural and economic life, and opening the way for all Chicago students to earn an excellent higher education will make our city even stronger," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "I am proud that families and students across Illinois will now have a better shot at the American Dream ? which starts with a great education."

With an estimated 65 percent of immigrant students coming from households earning below 200 percent of the poverty line, the financial barriers to higher education for academically qualified immigrant students are steep. Through the DREAM commission, Illinois leaders will now be able to raise private funds to help these students achieve their full potential.

"We thank Governor Quinn for his continuous support and his tireless work for the immigrant community," said Lawrence Benito, Deputy Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). "The signing of this bill into law is historic and it confirms that Illinois is not only an immigrant-friendly state but also a national leader on moving fair, humane, and practical solutions."

The DREAM Act passed with bipartisan legislative support and with the strong support of the education community. The commission will provide training to school service personnel and work with admission and financial aid officers and high school counselors across Illinois to help students utilize the wide array of higher education opportunities.

"The Illinois DREAM Act is a crucial step in the right direction, ensuring that worthy students are no longer denied the life-changing opportunity of college simply because their immigration status puts needed financial aid out of reach," said University of Illinois President Michael J. Hogan. "I'm grateful to our legislators and Governor Quinn for supporting the shared vision that bright minds are our most precious resource and must be cultivated, not thwarted by outdated immigration laws."

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Rock Island  , IL / July 25, 2011 - Media Link, Inc. (MLI) is proud to announce and welcome back Jessica Fink, a former MLI intern, as the company's newest Media Link Software and Government Account Manager. In this role, she will oversee the exciting launch of our new media-buying software and be responsible for maintaining our current and perspective Government Contracts, as well as forging better relationships with existing accounts.

Ms. Fink brings to the table an extensive background in the news industry, formerly serving as a Government and Politics reporter for The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers. Her breaking news coverage and emphasis on the K-12 education beat provided a credible information source   Quad   City   readers could easily turn to for relevant, critical and current local news.

Ms. Fink began her journalism career as a student at   Black   Hawk   College   while serving as a general reporter for The Chieftain newspaper and BHC's Broadcast Club. Her time spent as a city reporter for Northern Illinois University's daily student newspaper, The Northern Star, helped further hone her writing, editing and communication skills. She graduated from NIU with a B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Organizational/Corporate Communications.

Following her news reporting stint, Ms. Fink joined Fanfare Sports Marketing, a national leader in the promotional products industry for high schools and middle schools nationwide. There, she gained valuable hands-on experience through helping advertisers effectively target the high school student market segment and satellite audience of parents, faculty and alumni.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Media Link team again," said Ms. Fink. "The growth this company has seen over the years is outstanding, and I look forward to contributing to their mission of helping clients achieve continuous success in their marketing efforts."

Media Link, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping clients develop strategic marketing plans tailored specifically to their company's unique and individual needs. For more information, contact Natalie Linville-Mass at (309) 786-5142.

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