![\"Allegiant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/02-AllegiantPie.jpg\")
\nAllegiant\u2019s PIE Operation Has Grown Dramatically<\/p>\n
Allegiant began flying from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in November 2006, initially basing two aircraft at PIE and serving 12 nonstop destinations. During the airline\u2019s first year at the airport, Allegiant carried approximately 668,000 passengers.<\/p>\n
Twenty years later, the operation looks considerably different. Allegiant now serves 65 nonstop destinations from PIE, according to Pinellas County, giving St. Pete-Clearwater more Allegiant nonstop destinations than when the partnership began. PIE has also grown into Allegiant\u2019s third-largest base airport across the airline\u2019s network of 128 airports.<\/p>\n
The airline\u2019s local workforce has expanded along with its flight schedule. Allegiant started with 46 locally based employees and now employs approximately 500 people locally, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and station employees.<\/p>\n
Travelers can explore current destinations and airport information through St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport<\/a> and flight schedules through Allegiant Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n PIE Set an All-Time Passenger Record in 2025<\/p>\n The new agreement comes after a record-setting period for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. PIE welcomed 2,794,067 passengers in 2025, setting a new annual record and representing a 14% increase over 2024. December 2025 was also the airport\u2019s 11th consecutive month in which an individual monthly passenger record was broken.<\/p>\n The complete annual report is available through St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport<\/a>. Pinellas County reports that Allegiant transported approximately 2.8 million passengers to and from PIE during 2025, demonstrating how central the airline has become to the airport\u2019s passenger operation. Through the time the new agreement was presented to county commissioners in 2026, Allegiant had already transported approximately 1.4 million passengers at PIE during the year.<\/p>\n How the New Agreement Works<\/p>\n The agreement establishes a new revenue structure for Allegiant\u2019s operations at the airport and includes incentives tied to increased flight activity.<\/p>\n For fiscal year 2027, Allegiant\u2019s charges include $24.26 per square foot for exclusive office space, a $1.43 landing fee per 1,000 pounds, and a $250.57 per-turn fee for up to 3,000 departures.<\/p>\n The agreement also provides tiered cost savings intended to reward additional operations. When annual departures range from 3,001 to 6,000, Allegiant can receive a 4% reduction on certain landing and per-turn charges. When departures exceed 6,000, the reduction increases to 7%.<\/p>\n Revenue generated from exclusive office space is expected to increase 40% during fiscal year 2027, followed by 3% annual increases from fiscal years 2028 through 2031. Pinellas County estimates the agreement will add approximately $1.04 million in new revenue and reserve expenditures to PIE\u2019s proposed fiscal 2027 budget. County officials also said revenue anticipated under the agreement helps maintain the airport\u2019s financial position and supports planned capital improvement projects through at least fiscal year 2031.<\/p>\n More Allegiant Destinations Are Coming to PIE<\/p>\n The long-term agreement comes as Allegiant continues adding destinations from St. Pete-Clearwater. New nonstop service between PIE and Philadelphia International Airport is scheduled to begin October 2, 2026. Allegiant is also adding nonstop flights between St. Pete-Clearwater and Columbia Regional Airport in Missouri, beginning November 19, 2026. Those routes were included in an expansion announced by Allegiant Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another high-profile addition is coming in early 2027. Allegiant plans to launch seasonal nonstop service between PIE and Boston Logan International Airport beginning February 13, 2027. The Boston service is scheduled to operate through April 24, 2027, giving travelers another direct connection between Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast and the Northeast during the busy winter and spring travel period. Details of the Boston expansion are available from Allegiant Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n Airport Improvements Planned as PIE Continues to Grow<\/p>\n St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also preparing its facilities for future passenger growth. PIE\u2019s Terminal Improvement Project includes improvements to the existing terminal building along with plans for a new terminal expansion north of the baggage claim area that would include jet bridges.<\/p>\n