(BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.) - Tri-Cities residents can now get away to the beaches of the sunny Tampa Bay area as low-fare airline, Allegiant Air kicks off the only nonstop service from TCRA to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. 

"We are extremely pleased to again offer the Tri-Cities community another Florida vacation destination," Maurice J. Gallagher, Allegiant Air president & CEO, said. "This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only low-cost, nonstop service between Tri-Cities and the Tampa Bay area."

The new flights operate two times weekly, with service Thursday and Sunday. Flights depart Tri-Cities Regional Airport at 4:35 p.m. arriving in St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at 6:30 p.m. Flights leaving St. Petersburg-Clearwater depart at 1:55 p.m. arriving in Tri-Cities at 3:55 p.m. (all flight times are local.)  Allegiant Air began nonstop, low-cost service to Orlando May 17, 2007 and will resume flights to Fort Lauderdale Nov. 21, 2008.

"We are extremely excited about the launch of new service to Clearwater-St. Petersburg," said Patrick Wilson, executive director for Tri-Cities Regional Airport. "Our community has been asking for nonstop, low-fare access to the Tampa area, and we expect great support for these new Allegiant flights."

With an average 361 days of sunshine each year, the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida's West Coast.  The area was named among the top beaches in the United States and is one of a few destinations to have received the "Blue Wave Award" from the Clean Beaches Council.  In addition to pristine beaches, visitors are within minutes of shopping, amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences. 

The airline said its strong demand from current customers and input from local community leaders indicates the Tri-Cities community will welcome the new nonstop flights and low fares to the Tampa Bay area.  The new St. Petersburg-Clearwater service will offer the community low-cost alternative to connecting flights and long drives.

The Allegiant Vacations division of the company will allow customers to double their sunshine fun with complete vacation packages at some of the area's premier resorts, including Alden Beach Resort, Belleview Biltmore, Don CeSar, Hilton Clearwater Beach, Innisbrook Beach Resort, Mariott Suites on Sand Key and Sheraton Sand Key. Low-cost packages are available to include not only air and hotel, but car rentals for additional savings.

Reservations may be made through the company's website at www.allegiantair.com, the airline's Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.

*Seats are limited and fares are not available on all flights. All fares are one-way. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.50 per segment. A convenience fee of $11.50 per traveling customer will be applied when booked on allegiantair.com. A convenience fee of $11.50 per traveling customer, plus $10.00 per segment, will be applied when purchased through Allegiant Air call centers. A checked baggage fee of $15 per bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags, when purchased at the time of booking. If purchased at flight check-in, a checked baggage fee of $25 per bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags checked. Additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

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