Allegiant Air is ending service from Champaign to Las Vegas on Dec. 9 and Springfield to Las Vegas on Dec. 17. The airline blamed higher fuel costs for stopping the twice-weekly flights that started just a few months ago.
No doubt, the news is a boost for the Bloomington-to-Las Vegas flights offered by AirTran from Central Illinois Regional Airport.
On a related note, Orbitz.com's quarterly Traveler Update Report may have good news for the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.
The Associated Press reported one in three travelers are choosing smaller regional airports over larger hubs to avoid delays. About the same number are booking the earliest flight of the day or are traveling the night before a meeting or appointment to make sure reach their destinations on time. Three of five are checking in from home or work before they go to the airport.
Among other findings;
- Nearly three-quarters of travelers are leaving for the airport earlier than they used to;
- One in three travelers are renting smaller cars due to gas prices;
- Three of 10 are staying at cheaper hotels than they would like to cut overall travel costs;
- Two of every five are checking luggage more often and one in four have altered what they check to comply with carry-on restrictions on liquids and gels; and
- Two-thirds said the check-in process is more positive than it once was, but two of five said getting through airport security has become a more negative experience recently.
