Travelers will be able to catch twice-weekly, seasonal service from the Quad Cities International Airport to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Florida beginning Feb. 13, 2025.
Flights will be offered Thursdays and Sundays, perfect for long weekends or more extended trips, the QCIA said in a news release. This marks the first new Allegiant route from the QCIA in 12 years, providing travelers with more options and added flexibility.
“Today’s announcement is a win for our community, opening the door to even more amazing destinations for travelers in our region,” Benjamin Leischner, the airport’s executive director, said in the release. “Securing new routes, especially amidst pilot and aircraft shortages, often takes years. But Allegiant’s new service to Sarasota is a direct response to the high demand for Florida travel in our region.”
Allegiant’s ultra-low-cost model empowers travelers to design a trip that fits their budget, starting with affordable base airfare as the foundation. From there, customers have the flexibility to customize their experience, choosing only the extras that matter most to them – whether it’s selecting a seat, adding priority boarding, or booking accommodations and activities. This à la carte approach means travelers aren’t paying for features they don’t need, giving them control over their costs and the ability to create a personalized travel experience, according to the QCIA.
The new Thursday/Sunday flights to Sarasota complement Allegiant’s existing service to St. Pete just one hour north and to Punta Gorda one hour to the south, further enhancing travel opportunities for the region. The inaugural season will run through May 11.
Allegiant currently offers flights from QC Airport to: St. Pete/Clearwater (PIE), Punta Gorda (PGD), Sanford/Orlando (SFB), Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix/Mesa (AZA). Travelers can book air travel on Allegiant here.
The new flights come at the heels of the airport’s recent unveiling of a new ticketing area and terminal as part of its larger Project GATEWAY.
The new space features modern finishes, higher ceilings, enhanced lighting and a tile floor. The revamped area also includes a convenient repack scale for passengers, a designated check-in kiosk area, and will include a conveyor belt designed for more secure baggage screening and handling. Airlines are now operating from this updated section while renovations continue on the remaining ticketing counters.
“In just a few months, we’re seeing our vision for the Quad Cities International Airport come to life,” Mr. Leischner said in an earlier news release. “While the new design is visually appealing and a significant improvement from the 1985 fixtures, the changes go beyond aesthetics. This transformation provides the infrastructure needed to remove TSA screening from public view and will ensure more efficient operations for our airline partners.”
Concurrently, Project One also includes the construction of a new 14,100-square-foot building featuring a circular belt system that integrates with TSA screening equipment and will allow airlines to drive baggage carts to the conveyor for streamlined loading. Additional parking spaces will be created for small airline equipment to help shield them from Midwest weather conditions.
“As the region’s hometown airport, we want every arrival and departure to feel special. This renovation reflects the warmth and character of the community we serve,” said Mr. Leischner.
Project One began on April 4 and is expected to conclude in May 2025, with a budget of $18.1 million including $13 million of which comes from grant funding. This initiative is part of Project GATEWAY, which will also include additional improvements such as a curbside canopy, brick floor replacement, restroom upgrades, family-friendly spaces such as mothers’ suites and companion care rooms, relocated public meeting areas, and reimagined food, beverage and retail spaces.
