Pease Chief Sees Takeoff in Portsmouth Airline Biz

Passenger airline service is set to return to the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease this week after a five-year absence when the budget airline Allegiant launches direct flights to Florida.

Local officials are hoping it will draw several more airlines to Pease in the coming years.

"We hope it's the tip of the iceberg," said David Mullen, executive director of the Pease Development Authority.

Mullen said the PDA has spent more than $80 million to maintain the airport, which features free parking, wireless Internet and state-of-the-art snow removal vehicles.

More than 4 million people live within an hour's drive of the Pease. Mullen said Allegiant can capitalize on budget-minded travelers who don't want to drive to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport or Logan Airport.

"It's amazing what people will do for a bargain," he said.

Allegiant will run a single, nonstop flight from Pease to Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Florida. Introductory fares are $71 one way. Allegiant is an "ultra low-cost carrier." Its airplanes flying out of Portsmouth have no video screens or wireless Internet.

Skybus was the last airline to fly out of Pease. It left in 2008. Allegiant previously served Pease from 2005 to 2007.