Last week, Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) announced a plethora of new routes to begin this fall and winter. Among this group, two routes stand out: one from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., to the Tampa Bay area, and one from MacArthur Airport in Islip, N.Y., to Punta Gorda, Fla. These routes represent Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT)’s first scheduled service to the New York metro area since early 2007. (Allegiant does operate charter service from Stewart Airport to Cancun on behalf of Apple Vacations.)
Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) already serves over 200 nonstop routes, but this new service to New York could represent the beginning of a major expansion opportunity. While New York already has plenty of low-cost-carrier service on hometown carrier JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) and — to a lesser extent — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), Allegiant has a much lower cost structure than either of those airlines.
Allegiant therefore has an opportunity to become a price leader in the New York market. Lower airfare prices could stimulate incremental demand. As the company becomes better known in the New York area, Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) may be able to add a variety of other leisure destinations to its New York route map.
Price leader
Allegiant has built a highly profitable business model by avoiding congested airports, booking only nonstop itineraries, and embracing a direct sales model. These measures all help reduce the company’s costs. According to a recent presentation given by Allegiant’s management, it has the lowest cost structure in the airline industry excluding fuel costs. Including fuel, Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT)’s cost per available seat mile of 10.2 cents is slightly higher than that of fellow ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines Incorporated (NASDAQ:SAVE), but still more than 10% below any other competitor.
With such low costs, ultra-low-cost carriers like Allegiant and Spirit Airlines Incorporated (NASDAQ:SAVE) can offer significantly lower fares than competitors. Both companies also grab attention by offering rock-bottom base fares and then charging for “optional services” like checked and carry-on baggage, in-flight food and beverages, and seat selection. Allegiant supplements its income by selling all-inclusive travel packages, allowing it to earn commissions for hotel and rental car bookings.
Welcome to New York
Allegiant’s New York service fits in well with the company’s operating model. Rather than attempting to compete at the three major New York airports, Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ:ALGT) will serve two airports far out in the suburbs. Stewart Airport is roughly 50 miles north Manhattan, while MacArthur Airport is 45 miles to the east. These airports offer low operating costs and are sparsely utilized today.
Allegiant has had considerable success operating from similar airports located far from major urban centers. For example, Allegiant serves Canadian passengers from the Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal metro areas respectively via Bellingham, Niagara Falls, and Plattsburgh (airports just on the American side of the border).
