New flights to SW Florida taking off from South Bend

June 27, 2012|WSBT-TV Report

SOUTH BEND – Flights from South Bend to a vacation spot in Southwest Florida start today.

Allegiant Air now offers a direct flight from South Bend Regional Airport to Punta Gorda, Florida. That's near Fort Myers.

Allegiant says fares will start as low as $95 one way, but that's a starting price and not everyone will be able to get it.

“We have grown a lot in South Bend since we introduced service to Las Vegas in 2005 and have been very pleased with how popular our vacation offerings have been with area residents,” said Allegiant President Andrew Levy. “We’re excited to offer yet another affordable and convenient way for South Bend residents to get away to Florida, and we are confident the community will appreciate the value of flying nonstop to Southwest Florida and the great deals we offer on vacation packages.”

The flights will be available twice a week. The first one takes off at 1:20 Wednesday afternoon.

“The airport is proud to partner with Allegiant to provide nonstop, season, jet aircraft service to Punta Gorda, a new sunny destination that is already proving to be extremely popular with our traveling public,” said St. Joseph County Airport Authority Executive Director Mike Daigle. “The addition of another Florida city compliments Allegiant Air’s existing sun-seeker flights from Michiana to Orlando/Sanford and Tampa Bay/St. Pete.”

Allegiant will be charging an additional fee for bags, although there will be no charge for carry-ons that fit underneath a passenger’s seat.

Punta Gorda will be the fifth nonstop destination served by Allegiant out of South Bend, the third Florida connection. Allegiant also has nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix-Mesa and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, FL.

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