Airport scores new routes to Midwest, Northeast

SARASOTA — Allegiant announced new nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport from Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

“We are very excited to have Allegiant serve our airport and community,” says Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo in a statement. “Allegiant's ultra-low-cost fares will fill a niche our community has been requesting for quite some time.”

The routes from Indianapolis International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport will begin April 11. The route from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will begin April 13. Allegiant serves millions of passengers on Florida's west coast already, with a large presence at Punta Gorda Airport in Charlotte County and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Pinellas County.

The new flights will operate twice weekly. According to a press release, the flights are expected to bring nearly 52,000 new visitors to the area.

In December, Elite Airways announced nonstop jet service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Twice-weekly nonstop flights on Fridays and Mondays are expected to start Feb. 23.