LAS VEGAS - Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin operating the Boeing 757-200 aircraft type.

"This is an important day for Allegiant," Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said.  "The addition of the Boeing 757-200 will play an important role in our company's future growth.  Our operations team worked long and hard to ensure the completion of this certification and we thank them for their dedication in achieving this important goal."

Allegiant's operating fleet now consists of 51 MD-80 aircraft and one Boeing 757-200 aircraft.  The company owns three additional 757-200 aircraft, which are being leased to two European carriers until mid-2012.  Allegiant has committed to the purchase of two additional 757-200s, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2011.  These aircraft are expected to be introduced into Allegiant's fleet during the first quarter of 2012.

The Boeing 757-200 is a narrow body, twin-engine, medium-range jetliner.  Each 757-200 will hold 217 passengers in a single-class, three-by-three seat configuration.  Allegiant will begin to operate the 757 on existing routes between Las Vegas and McAllen, Texas, and between Las Vegas and Rockford, Ill.

The next focus for the company will be to gain Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards 180 (ETOPS) certification and Flag Carrier status from the FAA for the 757-200.  Both are required for flying to Hawaii, which the company anticipates achieving in summer 2012.

"We look forward to serving the Hawaiian market with the same business model that has made Allegiant so successful on the mainland?linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations," Levy added.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.
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.  Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant's Facebook Fan Page atwww.facebook.com/Allegiant or follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegianttravel.

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Visitors to state increase by 5 percent, generating $29.3 billion for economy

CHICAGO - June 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois' tourism industry generated $29.3 billion in revenue in 2010, an increase of more than $2.2 billion as visitor spending continued to provide a strong economic impact for the state, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.

"The gains we experienced in 2010 clearly show that the tourism industry continues to play a critical role in our state's ongoing economic recovery," said Governor Quinn. "With our world-class destinations and accessible locations, more people from around the world are coming to Illinois and staying longer, which is creating new jobs and bringing additional revenue throughout the state."

The economic impact of tourism in Illinois has grown by more than $3 billion during the past five years. Additionally, the travel industry generated 287,500 jobs in Illinois in 2010, directly and indirectly supporting one in 10 jobs in the state. On average, visitors spend nearly $80 million with Illinois businesses every day.

State and local tax revenues from tourism totaled more than $2 billion in 2010, an increase of $93.5 million. The total tourism tax revenue (federal, state and local) saves the average Illinois household more than $1,000 in taxes each year.

Illinois hosted nearly 84.7 million visitors in 2010, according to D. K. Shifflet & Associates. This is up 5 percent from 2009. Both business and leisure travel saw increases in visitor volume, with leisure travel up 6 percent and business travel up 2.5 percent. Overnight leisure travel to the state was up 13.8 percent, increasing market share by 11 percent in this category and ranking Illinois 10^th in the U.S.

Chicago was relatively flat in visitor volume, down less than one percent, drawing 38.11 million visitors. Business travel was up 4.9 percent while leisure travel was down 2.9 percent. Both overnight business and leisure travel increased 8.9 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.

"Chicago's economic vitality is driven by its visitor industry, which generates more than $11 billion in direct spending, $616 million in tax revenue, and sustains more than 124,000 jobs for our city's economy," said Don Welsh, President and CEO, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau. "It is essential that Chicago continues to grow as a preeminent convention destination as well as a premier choice for visitors from around the globe. Success requires thoughtful branding, messaging, and coordination of the entire visitor experience - efforts in which the CCTB plays a critical role."

Dorothy Coyle, Executive Director of Chicago's Office of Tourism and Culture, said she is pleased with Chicago's tourism numbers.

"We are very encouraged that overnight leisure travel to Chicago has increased 7.4 percent, outpacing the U.S. average of 6.6 percent," Coyle said. "Visitors continue to be drawn to Chicago as a premier leisure destination that offers great value. Hundreds of free events and one-of-a-kind attractions keep visitors coming back and lengthening their stay."

Visitor volume outside the City of Chicago was up 10.8%, with leisure travel leading the way with an increase of 13.3%. Overnight leisure travel outside of Chicago was up 22.3%

Illinois maintained its ranking as the 7^th most popular state for overseas visitors to the U.S. in 2010, hosting 1,186,000 such visitors, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism Industries. The City of Chicago, the 10^th most popular U.S. city for overseas visitors, hosted 1,134,000 international visitors in 2010, a 2 percent increase over 2009 arrivals. 

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DES MOINES, IA (06/16/2011)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair and Windstar Lines have partnered to provide round trip transportation to the Fair from 46 locations throughout the state. The convenient and affordable State Fair Express will offer motor coach service during the Iowa State Fair August 11-21.

Each State Fair Express ticket includes:

• Round trip transportation on a deluxe Windstar Lines motor coach

• Fair admission

• A complimentary bottle of water

• Fair coupon book offering food and drink discounts with more than $30 in savings

• Daily Program with map of the Fairgrounds

• Easy pickup and drop off in the Fair's North Lot at Gate 15

The State Fair Express will arrive at the Fair at approximately 10 a.m. and will depart at 6 p.m. Adult fare includes ages 12 and over, child fare includes ages 5-11 and children under 5 ride free. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Ticket pricing varies by location. A complete list of routes, pricing and pickup locations follows.

Please call Windstar Lines Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888.494.6378 for State Fair Express reservations. Payment must be made in full at the time of reservation. Windstar accepts Visa and MasterCard.

Reservations can be made up to one week prior to departure. The State Fair Express runs rain or shine and no refunds will be issued. A minimum of 30 people must book for the trip to run, cancellation of the trip will occur seven days prior to departure and you will be notified by Windstar Lines if this occurs. If the trip does not meet the minimum requirement for riders and is cancelled refunds will be given.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitwww.iowastatefair.org.

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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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