Allegiant Air will launch new nonstop routes this fall, including service between Punta Gorda Airport and New Orleans, as part of a 10-city expansion. The addition comes as air traffic increases and airport officials continue expanding amenities, including the buildout of a full-service restaurant.
“New Orleans will be Allegiant’s 51st active route from Punta Gorda, offering local travelers more access to exciting destinations across our network,” Allegiant Chief Commercial Officer Drew Wells said.
The new route between Punta Gorda Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport begins Nov. 21, with one-way fares as low as $49.
“Southwest Floridians will be thrilled about new nonstop flights to experience New Orleans — a city rich in music, culture and history,” PGD CEO James W. Parish said. “We know that visitors from New Orleans will enjoy the charming waterfront, beaches and outdoor activities that Southwest Florida has to offer.”
Other Allegiant route additions include flights between Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport and Allentown, Pennsylvania; Appleton, Wisconsin; and Des Moines, Iowa. Allegiant also announced a new route from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to Toledo, Ohio. All routes begin in November.
“Allegiant’s expansion underscores Southwest Florida’s appeal as a high-growth travel hub, from southern Sarasota, Charlotte, and south to Lee and Collier Counties,” Parish said. “The company’s decision to enter RSW while continuing to invest in PGD signals confidence in the region’s economic vitality and tourism potential, making PGD an even more attractive proposition for additional airlines seeking to enter or expand in the market.”
As Allegiant expands operations at PGD, the Charlotte County Airport Authority is seeking a restaurant operator for its growing Air Center. The airport is soliciting proposals for a public full-service restaurant, bar and caterer to occupy a 2,853-square-foot space with wall-to-wall windows and panoramic views of the runways.
The restaurant buildout is partially complete. Approximately $400,000 has been invested in framing, a natural gas line, rough electrical and plumbing work, lighting and kitchen equipment including a pizza oven. PGD is offering a $200,000 reimbursement once construction is finished, and a certificate of occupancy is issued.
An adjacent 534-square-foot events room can be combined with the dining area to create a larger venue for meetings and gatherings. The Air Center also includes a lobby, conference space, leased offices, flight schools, a pilot lounge and fueling services for private aircraft.
The airport is highlighting the lack of nearby sit-down restaurants — none exist within a 3-mile radius — as well as a growing base of workers and residents nearby. PGD’s terminal is 1.5 miles away, with more than 2 million passengers annually and over 50 destinations served. In 2023, PGD recorded 103,252 takeoffs and landings, nearly half of which used the Air Center’s facilities.
Roughly 1,600 people work on airport property daily, including employees of airlines, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Hertz, Avis/Budget, Enterprise and Charlotte Technical College. Nearby, Burnt Store Road and Jones Loop Road are seeing residential development, with more than 7,500 new homes planned. Major employers near the airport include FedEx, Cheney Brothers, ABC Supply Company and Blue Bell.
Airport officials expect strong demand for the restaurant from travelers, employees and area residents.
