Pinellas County commissioners have approved a new five-year operating agreement with Allegiant Air that keeps the airline at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport through September 2031. The deal is projected to generate roughly $22.8 million for the airport, a 61% increase over the $14.2 million brought in by the previous agreement, and it includes tiered landing and per-turn fee reductions that reward Allegiant for exceeding 3,000 annual departures.
The numbers tell the story of a remarkable two decades. Allegiant began PIE service in November 2006 with two aircraft and 12 nonstop destinations. Today the airline offers 65 nonstop routes, employs roughly 500 people locally, and counts PIE as its third-largest base airport. Last year, the airport welcomed an all-time record 2,794,067 passengers, up 14% from 2024. Growth continues with Philadelphia service starting October 2, 2026, Columbia Regional on November 19, 2026, and seasonal Boston Logan flights from February 13, 2027. The airport is also planning terminal improvements and added parking to handle the increased traffic.
For Suncoast travelers, the takeaway is simple: more nonstop options close to home, more local jobs, and an airport investing in keeping up with its own success. Snowbirds heading north for the summer and retirees visiting family out of state have more direct routes to choose from than ever before.
Which new route are you most excited about, and where should Allegiant fly next from PIE? Let us know in the comments.
