Las Vegas, June 6, 2011/GLOBENEWSWIRE -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) today reported preliminary passenger traffic results for May 2011.

Scheduled Service

                                             May 2011     May 2010     Change

Passengers                               433,329        456,673          (5.1%)

Revenue passenger miles (000)   387,091        419,073          (7.6%)

Available seat miles (000)           420,002        455,062          (7.7%)

Load factor                               92.2%           92.1%          0.1 pts

Departures                                 3,206            3,341          (4.0%)

Average stage length (miles)            873               908          (3.8%)

Total System*

                                             May 2011      May 2010     Change

Passengers                               464,983        483,016          (3.7%)

Revenue passenger miles (000)   411,038        441,597          (6.9%)

Available seat miles (000)            466,664        502,350          (7.1%)

Load factor                                 88.1%           87.9%          0.2 pts

Departures                                  3,785            3,930          (3.7%)

Average stage length (miles)            825               859          (3.9%)                        

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

Preliminary Financial Results

Change

April 2011 actual year-over-year

scheduled passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) change                23.9%

April 2011 actual year-over year

scheduled total revenue per ASM (TRASM) change                          20.4%

 

May 2011 estimated year-over-year PRASM change                     34.6 - 35.0%

May 2011 estimated year-over-year TRASM change                    26.7 - 27.1%

 

May 2011 estimated average fuel cost per gallon - system                       $3.20

May 2011 estimated average fuel cost per gallon - scheduled                  $3.47

 

Guidance

 

Capacity guidance, subject to revision	Year over Year Growth
	Departures	ASMs
June 2011
Scheduled	1%	1%
2nd Quarter 2011
System	(3) to (1)%	(3) to (1)%
Scheduled	(3) to (1)%	(4) to (2)%
3rd Quarter 2011
System	(7) to (3)%	(4) to 0%
Scheduled	(8) to (4)%	(6) to (2)%
Revenue guidance, subject to revision
		2nd Quarter 2011
Estimated PRASM change - year over year growth		+25 to 27%

ASMs - Available seat miles

About the Company
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, 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.  In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list.  ALGT/G

Note: This news release was accurate at the date of issuance. However, information contained in the release may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

For further information please visit the company's investor website: http://ir.allegiant.com

Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this news release.

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 departure and capacity growth. 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 "guidance", "believe," "expect," "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.

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.

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WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released a report giving the Defense Department's inspector general audits a D- grade on a "junkyard dog" index for tracking waste, fraud and abuse of tax dollars.

"Audits are the tip of the inspector general's spear," Grassley said.  "A good spear always needs a finely honed cutting edge. Right now, the point of that spear is dull.  The best audit weapon is disabled. As a watchdog, I get serious heartburn from degraded audit capabilities.  It puts the taxpayers' money in harm's way.  It leaves huge sums of money vulnerable to theft and waste."

Grassley directed his staff to review all 113 unclassified Defense Department inspector general audits for Fiscal Year 2010.  Under the Grassley analysis, 15 reports are "good to very good."  But other reports earn more negative assessments for failing to track the tax dollars, taking too long to complete and losing the money trail, and other shortcomings.  The report assigns a D- grade overall to the 113 audits.

The report names nine audit roadblocks that Grassley said stand between lackluster audits and quality audits.  He encouraged the inspector general to dismantle each roadblock.  "The inspector general must find a way to tear down these walls," Grassley said.  "Otherwise, audit reform and transformation will never happen. My staff will keep reading and evaluating inspector general audits until steady improvement is popping up on the radar screen every day."

Today's report is a follow-up to Grassley's first such oversight review, issued on Sept. 7, 2010.  The initial report evaluated the 113 audit reports issued in FY 2009. It determined that the Defense Department inspector general audit capabilities, which cost the taxpayers about $100 million a year, were gravely impaired.  The inspector general's office pledged to improve audit quality, a promise Grassley is working to hold the office to fulfill.

Grassley began conducting oversight of the Pentagon in the early 1980s when President Reagan was ramping up the defense budget. A group of defense reformers including Grassley examined the pricing of spare parts and uncovered $750 toilet seats and $695 ashtrays for military aircraft.  As a result of the Inspector General Act of 1978, offices of inspectors general were set up at each federal agency.

In 1986, Grassley authored a major update of the federal False Claims Act, with Rep. Howard Berman of California. Since then, the law has recovered more than $28 billion and deterred billions of dollars in additional fraud against the taxpayers.   It has been used to uncover defense fraud and recently in particular, health care fraud.

Click on the following links to view Grassley's report released today, his letter to the Defense Department inspector general accompanying the report, and the video and text of a speech delivered on the Senate floor on the report.

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During the summer months, blood donations often drop to low levels.The American Red Cross encourages donors to rev up their engines and head out to a nearby blood drive or donation center.

From May 25 through Sept. 14, presenting donors (age 18 and older) can register online at redcrossracing.com to enter the Red Cross Racing "Summer Drive Sweepstakes." Enter for a chance to win a new, fuel-efficient 2012 Ford Fiesta SE. One winner will be selected by random drawing no later than Sept. 19.

Red Cross Racing participants also get points for activities like giving blood and recruiting blood donors. Points can be redeemed at any time for fun racing-themed prizes or donated to support the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

The American Red Cross is celebrating the fourth year of its Red Cross Racing partnership with 3M and Roush Fenway Racing. For more information, or to schedule your summer blood donation appointment, please visit redcrossracing.com or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visitredcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Fast Facts
Approximately every two seconds someone in the U.S.needs blood.
More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
Only 38% of the U.S.population is eligible to donate blood.
Just 8% of those eligible actually donate.
One out of every 10 people admitted to the hospital needs blood.
One donation can help save the lives of up to three people.
The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they "want to help others."
The American Red Cross supplies approximately 40% of the nation's blood supply.

Blood Donation Opportunities June 16-30, 2011
WHITESIDE COUNTY
6/21/11
1:00 pm- 5:15 pm
Old Fulton Fire
912 4th Street
Fulton

6/22/11
10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Rock Falls Blood Donation Center
112 W. Second St.
Rock Falls

6/23/11
4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Rock Falls Blood Donation Center
112 W. Second St.
Rock Falls

6/28/11 
1:00 pm-5:15 pm
Old Fulton Fire Station
912 4th Street
Fulton
Get a chance to win a portable GPS unit when you present to donate between June 27th & July 6th, 2011!

6/29/11
2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Rock Falls Blood Donation Center
112 W. Second St.
Rock Falls
Get a chance to win a portable GPS unit when you present to donate between June 27th & July 6th, 2011!

CLINTON COUNTY
6/16/11
10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Lyondell Chemical Company
3400 Anamosa Road
Clinton

6/19/11
8:00 am-12:00 pm
Assumption Catholic Church
147 Broadway Street
Charlotte

CARROLL COUNTY
6/16/11
1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Milledgeville First Brethren Church
521 N. Main Ave
Milledgeville
All presenting donors will be eligible to win a set of 2 free Chicago White Sox regular season home game tickets.

6/17/11
12:00 pm-6:00 pm
United Methodist Church
405 E.Locust
Lanark
All presenting donors will be eligible to win a set of 2 free Chicago White Sox regular season home game tickets.

6/22/11
12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Big Meadows Nursing Home
1000 Longmoor Ave
Savanna
All presenting donors will be eligible to win a set of 2 free Chicago White Sox regular season home game tickets.

6/24/11
1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Mt. Carroll Community Building
101 N. Main
Mount Carroll
All presenting donors will be eligible to win a set of 2 free Chicago White Sox regular season home game tickets.

Local Bettendorf residents get sneak peek into the life of an American farmer with new
America's Farmers Mobile Experience

What:    Ever wonder what it's like to be a farmer today?  Curious about the men and women who care for the fields that you drive by?  Now people in Bettendorf have the opportunity to take a look into the life of an American farmer and learn more about the vital role they play in the world of agriculture today through the America's Farmers Mobile Experience.  Kevin Green, local farmer, played a large role in bringing the traveling display to the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf and will serve as the host of the Mobile Experience while it is here.

The new Mobile Experience is a traveling 53-foot trailer that expands into 1,000-square feet of exhibit space that immerses visitors in the lives of America's farm families.  The tour is designed to educate consumers on modern agriculture and the challenges farmers face to meet the growing demands of the rapidly increasing world population.

Visitors will take a journey through three different focus areas with interactive tools and displays to better understand the life of an American farmer.
•    An interactive globe will allow visitors to see population growth and how many people one acre of farmland will need to feed to meet the demand of the growing population.
•    A 180-degree theater immerses visitors in a video experience that spotlights an American farm family and what they are currently doing to meet the world demand.  Hear three generations of farm women speak about what farm life means to them.
•    Ag educators serve as personal guides teaching guests about the tools and technologies, including breeding, biotechnology and agronomics, that help farmers meet current challenges.

When:        June 7th & 8th
Tours will run from 8am to 6pm daily. (Closed for break 1:30 to 2:30pm each day)

Where:    Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf
1777 Isle Parkway
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Who:    Media and the general public are invited to tour the America's Farmers Mobile Experience and speak with local farmers and Monsanto  Ag Educators.

Background:    The Mobile Experience will tour the U.S. stopping at a variety of urban and rural events to give people the opportunity to learn more about every aspect of the farmer's life, from food production to the challenges they face. For more information on Monsanto's America's Farmers' efforts or its Mobile Experience, please visit www.AmericasFarmers.com. 

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