Citing "strong community demand," Allegiant Air, LLC, has reversed its earlier decision to end service and will now continue nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport resuming Nov. 20.

Allegiant will offer introductory fares as low as $59* one-way to Fort Lauderdale, officials said.

"Due to persistent and persuasive community efforts, stronger than anticipated summer bookings and significant decreases in fuel costs, we will continue to offer the Chattanooga community convenient and inexpensive access to sunny South Florida," Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., president, CEO and chairman for Allegiant, said.

"With this announcement, we will offer nonstop service from Chattanooga to three Florida destinations, including Tampa Bay and Orlando."

"When the facts change, we are not afraid to change our minds," said Robert Ashcroft, vice president of planning for Allegiant. "Demand for Fort Lauderdale from Chattanooga this summer frankly surprised us, and we are delighted to follow the community’s lead."

Service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will resume Nov. 20 with flights on Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart Chattanooga at 10:30 a.m. arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 12:30 p.m. Flights leaving Fort Lauderdale will depart at 1:10 p.m. arriving in Chattanooga at 3:15 p.m. (all flight times are local.)

Allegiant Air began nonstop, low-cost service to Orlando, Fla. Oct. 31, 2006 and began service to the Tampa Bay area Dec. 12, 2006. Allegiant originally announced that it would discontinue service to Fort Lauderdale July 18.

"Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air has been a great addition to our airport and our community, and we thank them for their continued commitment to local air service," said Mike Landguth, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority. "Local travelers will continue to benefit from their low fares, as well as the competition that comes with the return of our 10th nonstop destination from Chattanooga."

Officials said, "Fort Lauderdale offers the ultimate escape to sunny South Florida, with miles of blue waterways, soft golden sand and gentle ocean breezes. Located in the center of South Florida's Gold Coast, 40 miles from Palm Beach and 25 miles from Miami, Fort Lauderdale stretches from Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach in the north to Hollywood and Hallandale Beach in the south. The area offers 300 miles of navigable inland waterways and 44,000 resident yachts, making it recognized as the 'Yachting Capital of the World' and the 'Venice of America'. From the Blue Wave beaches, to the yacht-filled waterways, to the exotic Everglades, every visit is a fresh taste of paradise."

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