Punta Gorda airport traffic jumps

PUNTA GORDA — The Punta Gorda Airport in Charlotte County continued its streak of passenger growth, posting an 18% gain in February compared with February 2014.

The airport's sole carrier, discount airline Allegiant, flew 66,254 passengers in and out of Punta Gorda in February, according to the Charlotte County Airport Authority.

Allegiant recently announced plans for 22 new non-stop routes, including year-round service from Punta Gorda to Raleigh-Durham, N.C. starting on May 7.

“We are pleased to announce this expansion and bring new convenient, low-cost vacation options to five new communities, as well as new destination options for those communities we currently serve,” says Jude Bricker, Allegiant's senior vice president of planning, in a statement.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant flies to and from 21 destinations from Punta Gorda. The airline specializes in flying to tourism destinations from smaller airports in the Northeast and Midwest, such as Allentown, Pa., and Toledo, Ohio.