Allegiant Airlines has canceled a pair of flights between Toledo and Sanford, Fla., Friday, neither of which will be rescheduled.
Hillary Grey, the airline’s director of corporate communications, said the cancellations were caused by “a lack of aircraft availability” caused by a backlog of unscheduled delays or maintenance issues. The airline determined it would be better to cancel the flights now to give passengers two days’ notice, she said.
“We really sincerely apologize and thank them for their patience,” Ms. Grey said of the passengers. “Hopefully, with a little extra notice, it will allow people to make alternative plans.”
Because the flights are not being rescheduled, those with tickets on the cancelled flights were given the option to travel on different flights through nearby airports, receive credit toward additional travel, or get refunds. Each one will also be given a $150 voucher.
Allegiant has canceled several other flights during the next few days, including a Friday round trip between Sanford and Little Rock and Sanford-based flights on Sunday serving Chattanooga, Tenn., and Greensboro, N.C.
Although the Toledo flights’ cancellation marked the second consecutive week that Allegiant’s Friday flights from and to Sanford were scratched, Joe Rotterdam, manager of airport operations and airline affairs for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, said he does not perceive a long-term problem.
“Allegiant’s been a great partner with us,” Mr. Rotterdam said. “I don’t view this as a developing trend in our service.”
Allegiant hauled the majority of passengers at Toledo Express Airport last year, with flights to three Florida destinations, and added service between Toledo and Myrtle Beach, S.C., last month.
The airline’s maintenance and operating procedures have been reviewed by the Federal Aviation Administration under a program Ms. Grey described as routine but which unions representing its employees have said is unusual.
Elizabeth Isham Cory, a regional FAA spokesman, said today that review is “still open.”
Original article can be found here: http://www.toledoblade.com
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