Punta Gorda’s airport may be getting a bit of competition…from its only current tenant.
Allegiant Air announced yesterday that it will start running flights into and out of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Those flights running out of Bradenton will be to Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati…three destinations that Allegiant also serves from Punta Gorda.
Officials at Visit Sarasota estimate the new flights will bring nearly 50,000 new visitors to the Suncoast each year. They say their goal is to get travelers to avoid using Tampa or Southwest Florida International, and instead use Sarasota-Bradenton.
Allegiant officials, meanwhile, say despite the new flights coming just an hour away from Punta Gorda, no route changes there are expected.