Allegiant's Des Moines Aircraft Base to Begin Operations July 1
On Feb. 2, Allegiant announced that its planned base at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) will begin operations on July 1. The two-aircraft base, previously anticipated for 2020, had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Des Moines will be home to the leisure airline’s 20th base of operations. The $50 million investment will locate two Airbus A320 aircraft at Des Moines International Airport, bringing at least 66 new, high-wage jobs to the community.
“Establishing a base in Des Moines has been an important part of Allegiant’s growth strategy,” said Keith Hansen, Allegiant’s vice president of government affairs. “In light of the profound challenges our industry has faced due to the pandemic we are especially pleased to be able to announce a new start date, with locally-based aircraft and crews expanding affordable, convenient travel opportunities and enriching Allegiant’s presence as a hometown airline in the state of Iowa.”
Unlike most other airlines, Allegiant operates an “out-and-back” network, with exclusively nonstop flights - meaning each day’s flying starts and ends at a base, rather than connecting traffic through busy hub airports. The base at Des Moines International Airport will bring additional flexibility for flight times and future route opportunities, as locally-based crew members return home nightly to Des Moines.
“From new jobs to new destinations, we look forward to partnering with Allegiant as we welcome passengers back with affordable air service that connects them to the places and people they love,” said Kevin Foley, Des Moines Airport Authority’s executive director. “While it has been a difficult time for our industry, the Allegiant base announcement brings excitement and opportunity in the new year.”
Allegiant began service at DSM in 2003 and currently offers 10 non-stop routes – to Orlando-Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater, Punta Gorda, Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Sarasota, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona; Austin, Texas; Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Allegiant, which employs more than 4,200 team members across the U.S., is in the process of hiring personnel to support the operations. The majority of the new positions are expected to offer salaries that are more than double the state’s average wage. Available positions will be posted on Allegiant’s careers website, where interested applicants may apply online.
