Hawaii will be newest destination for budget airline Allegiant

Budget carrier Allegiant Air said it plans to launch nonstop service to Hawai’i late this year with a fleet of six Boeing 757-200s in a move that will make the Islands more accessible to visitors from smaller cities in the western U.S.

Allegiant, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., has been successful with its strategy of offering low fares for people in small cities to visit vacation destinations in Florida, California and the Southwest.

Allegiant has posted 28 straight quarters of profits at a time when many airlines have struggled with declining demand and high fuel prices.

Allegiant said it plans to purchase the 757s in phases and put them into service over a period stretching from the fourth quarter of this year through the first half of 2012.

“Hawai’i is the most prominent U.S. leisure destination currently unserved by Allegiant, and our small city customers have been requesting this service,” said Maurice Gallagher, chairman and chief executive officer.