After nearly a decade of discussions between Allegiant Air and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), the airline will launch its first flights to and from RSW this November.
The new service will connect RSW with Appleton, Wisconsin; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Des Moines, Iowa — cities that will continue to fly into Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) while adding the new Fort Myers option.
Years of Analysis Lead to Expansion
Allegiant’s Vice President of Planning Kristen Schilling-Gonzales explained that the decision came after extensive market research, passenger surveys, and careful monitoring of airport capacity.
“We’re a bunch of data nerds,” she said. “We’ve been looking at where customers want to go, what requests we’re hearing, and how the space at both airports lines up. The timing finally worked.”
Between May 2024 and April 2025, Allegiant carried over 1 million passengers to PGD — doubling to about 2 million when outbound flights are included.
RSW Complements Punta Gorda Service
The airline’s expansion into RSW won’t replace PGD routes, but rather enhance Allegiant’s presence in the region.
“This is about meeting customer demand,” Schilling-Gonzales said. “They want more options — direct access to Fort Myers, quicker trips to Marco Island, and faster travel down the coast.”
Most Allegiant traffic originates from out-of-state travelers, particularly during the winter season. In warmer months, some of that traffic flows in the opposite direction, with Floridians heading north.
Punta Gorda Continues to Grow
PGD remains a key hub for Allegiant, currently operating more than 7,700 flights annually — averaging 21 flights per day to 51 destinations. Two new routes are also on the horizon:
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New Orleans – Starting Nov. 21, 2024
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Atlantic City, NJ – Starting Feb. 13, 2026
Looking Ahead
The three new RSW routes are just the beginning. Allegiant will evaluate performance before adding more service, but Schilling-Gonzales hinted at the potential for further expansion.
“If these routes do well, we’re always looking for additional opportunities,” she said. “Passengers love the Southwest Florida region — we’re just giving them more ways to get here.”
