Allegiant Receives Approval From FAA to Operate Boeing 757 Aircraft Type

Allegiant ALGT has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin operating the Boeing BA 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.