Portsmouth International Airport at Pease prepares for arrival of Allegiant Airline -- Airline to start Florida flights on Oct. 25

PORTSMOUTH — Officials at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease are gearing up for the arrival of Allegiant Air, a commercial airline that recently announced it would return scheduled passenger service to the local air terminal.

With the airline slated to begin flights to and from Sanford, Fla., on Oct. 25, employees at the Pease airport have been busily preparing the terminal for the influx of commercial flights, Airport Manager Bill Hopper said.

"We're working hard to make sure that a passenger's experience is as nice as possible," he said.

In addition to the physical preparation, Pease officials have also begun to ramp up marketing efforts. The Pease Development Authority board of directors on Sept. 19 authorized $135,000 in matching funds in connection with the airline's marketing program. The board also approved an additional $60,000 in funds to be used in a separate effort by Pease to market the airline.

PDA Executive Director David Mullen said the additional money will allow for advertising on the radio and in newspapers. Mullen said the advertisement will be imperative to Allegiant's success.

"I don't want to back off," he said. "I think if you stop advertising ... they'll think you just went away."

Allegiant, which served Pease in the past, ending in 2007, will operate twice weekly, Mondays and Fridays, between Portsmouth and Orlando Sanford International Airport. Flights depart Portsmouth at 6:30 p.m. and Sanford at 3 p.m. For information, visit www.allegiantair.com.

Original article:  http://www.seacoastonline.com