XNA grows to 27 nonstop flights with start of new Allegiant service

The addition of two nonstop flights by Las Vegas-based low-cost carrier Allegiant brings the total number of nonstop flights to 27 at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Highfill.

On Wednesday (Nov. 17), nonstop flights from XNA to Punta Gorda, Fla., will begin with one-way fares as low as $43. On Friday (Nov. 19), nonstop flights from XNA to Houston will begin with one-way fares as low as $33.

“We’re thrilled to offer Bentonville residents with two new options for planning their winter vacations,” said Drew Wells, senior vice president of revenue and planning for Allegiant. “We think our brand of air travel appeals to local travelers who enjoy our convenient, nonstop flights without the hassle of layovers or connections.”

The twice-weekly flights to Punta Gorda Airport in Punta Gorda and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston are expected to be the last of the new XNA flights in 2021. However, more could be added before the end of the year, but the decision would be up to the airlines, said Alex English, public relations and marketing specialist for XNA.

“Including these two flights, we have 27 nonstop flights,” said English, noting that this includes San Francisco International Airport, to which flights are temporarily suspended, “but we feel confident that route will return in the near future.”

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. airlines carried 58.4 million passengers in September, up 133% from the same month in 2020, but down 19.5% from the same month in 2019. The airlines carried 25.1 million passengers in September 2020 and 72.6 million passengers in September 2019.

In October, XNA’s enplanements, or passengers flying out, rose by 131.2% to 73,369, from the same month in 2020. Between January and October, the enplanements have risen by 59.8% to 487,094, from the same period in 2020.