Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Allegiant Travel Co. announced on Tuesday its plans to establish a four-aircraft base at Provo Airport. The Las Vegas-based company will invest approximately $95 million to establish the new base of operations, creating at least 157 new, high-wage jobs.

“Unlike most airlines which operate on a hub-and-spoke system, we fly an ‘out and back’ network where crews originate at a base, do their day of flying and return to base every night. This is also a benefit for our crew members, who get to sleep in their own beds at night, see their families and truly live in their base communities,” according to Allegiant leaders.

The Provo announcement is a significant investment for the airline.

According to the airline, the $95 million is the investment Allegiant is making in the equipment, infrastructure, employees and supplies that will be needed to establish its base operations.

One of the advantages of a base in Provo, the company says, is that flights will originate at the local airport, allowing residents to leave in the early morning to maximize their vacation time.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

The company, which focuses on linking travelers in small to medium-sized cities to leisure destinations, plans to begin its base operations in Provo on Nov. 16.

“We’re delighted to grow alongside Provo, a market with phenomenal growth and convenient access to some of Utah’s most treasured destinations,” said Keith Hansen, Allegiant’s vice president of government affairs. “Allegiant understands the value of Provo Airport. Building on the success of eight existing routes at PVU, our investment means having locally based aircraft and crews, opening the door for future new destination opportunities for residents.”

Allegiant began operating at Provo Airport in 2013 and currently offers eight nonstop routes — Austin and Houston, Texas; St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida; Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona; and Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Orange County, California. To date, Allegiant has flown more than 700,000 passengers through Provo.

“Allegiant Air has found a following with their unique brand of travel focused on low-cost, nonstop flights to popular destinations without the hassle of layovers and connections,” said Brian Torgersen, interim Provo Airport manager. “We are pleased to launch a new era of travel at the Provo Airport, with Allegiant’s base operations expansion being key to our future success.”

The formula appears to be working as Provo is now the second busiest airport in Utah.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

“By investing in vital infrastructure, we created economic opportunity for Provo rather than waiting for it,” said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “While many will appreciate the personal conveniences of flying out of a regional airport, including shorter lines and personalized service, the economic benefits are substantial with each new roundtrip destination bringing an estimated $15 million into our local, regional and state economy.”

Allegiant, which employs more than 4,300 team members across the U.S., plans to immediately begin hiring pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and ground personnel to support the operations. Most of the new positions are expected to offer salaries that are more than double the state’s average wage.

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