By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Flights from the Rockford airport to Los Angeles and Nashville will resume for a second season starting in May.
The Greater Rockford Airport Authority announced Wednesday that Allegiant Airlines tickets are now on sale for both destinations. Flights from the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) to LAX will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning May 21. Service to BNA is on Thursdays and Sundays starting May 22.
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“We’ve seen strong demand for these seasonal routes and with the continued support of our community, we’re excited to bring them back for the upcoming season,” Zack Oakley, executive director at RFD, said in a news release. “Our partnership with Allegiant Airlines has allowed us to expand flight options for travelers, and we’re excited to continue offering these popular destinations.”
Allegiant started flying to both destinations earlier this year, with flights to Nashville starting May 16 and travel to Los Angeles debuting June 12. The routes both operate seasonally, and the final flights of this year were in October for both locations.
That was a shorter season than initially planned after Allegiant scaled back routes due to delays in receiving Boeing 737 MAX airlines it ordered. The routes were initially intended to go into November.
“That summertime travel schedule for new routes that’s prime vacation season for individuals, so being a leisure based operation getting those routes back on that schedule gives them the best opportunity for success,” Oakley said in a follow-up phone interview. “As the year goes on and the performance starts to grow, the intent is to grow them into year-round eventually.”
Right now, the flight schedule for both Nashville and Los Angeles is out through August. That will be updated over the next few months to extend service to include late summer and early fall, Oakley said.
“The more community support we have on these routes, the better chance we have to add more frequency on existing routes or add new destinations,” Oakley said. “We’ve had some good passenger wins this last year. We’re trying to continue that going forward, and just make sure that the aircraft we’ve got, we fill them and we continue to grow in that direction.”
Airport officials say expanding passenger flight options is a key goal while factoring in market demand and economic feasibility. RFD has another new options starting next year.
The airport will restart international flights in January, when passengers will be able to take international flights to Costa Rica (LIR), Punta Cana (PUJ), and Cancun/Riviera Maya (CUN).
RFD also has flights through Allegiant to Punta Gorda (PGD), Sarasota (SRQ), Orlando (SFB), and Tampa (PIE), as well as Phoenix (IWA) and Las Vegas (LAS).
For flight schedules and booking details, go to flyrfd.com or allegiantair.com.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas