They have been flying out of Provo since 2013, but Thursday marks two new and important routes for Allegiant Air.

On Thursday, Allegiant will begin nonstop service from Provo to Las Vegas and San Diego. To celebrate the flights Allegiant will have giveaways, gifts and photo opportunities with an Elvis impersonator.

The elusive Elvis will be at the Provo Airport to see passengers off as they board their flight to the Entertainment Capital of the World. Passengers can also pose for photos next to a 4-foot version of the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

The new routes are part of Allegiant’s expansion to establish base operations in Provo. The Allegiant plane will arrive at 5:30 p.m. with the inaugural flight leaving at 6:30 p.m.

As is the long-celebrated tradition, a water cannon arch from the Provo Fire Department will help celebrate this first flight out.

The planes based in Provo are Airbus A320s, each capable of carrying 156 and 186 passengers, depending on the length.

In 2013, the Allegiant network planning team recognized the population in Utah was quickly growing and entered the Provo market at Provo Airport.

The most popular flight is to the Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona, airport with airplanes estimated at 90% for every flight out of Provo.

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.

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