Allegiant flights to Phoenix will return to Rockford by Thanksgiving

By Thomas V. Bona

BusinessRockford.com

You’ll be able to get from Rockford to the Phoenix area again this fall.

Allegiant Air will restore its route from Chicago Rockford International Airport to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport by Thanksgiving, airline spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said.

The airline had previously suspended Phoenix/Mesa service from several airports this summer due to low seasonal demand and high fuel prices. The suspension starts next month.

Some of those airports — Fort Wayne, Ind.; Green Bay, Wis.; and Stockton, Calif. — aren’t getting that service back, Squyres said.

But Rockford and Peoria will get the popular flights back, even though the routes are more than 1,300 miles long.

“They were on the short list but they squeaked through,” Squyres said. “The numbers were just there, the flights are reasonably full and the fares we continue to get make it economically viable. It is working for us. Don’t break what’s working.”

The schedule for the renewed routes hasn’t been released yet, but will be soon, she said. Flights will be twice a week.

Staff writer Thomas V. Bona may be contacted at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.