Mover over Mad Dogs! You've got some new Boeing metal to join the team! (Photo by Ryan Spellman)
Allegiant Travel Company announced on Friday that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire six Boeing 757-200s which will be used to begin Allegiant Air service to Hawaii.
Two aircraft will be delivered in the next two months and will begin service by the Q4 2010. Another two will be delivered in November 2010 and January 2011, respectively, which will enter service during the first half of 2011, and the final two planes will be delivered at the end of 2011 and begin service in early 2012.
All six aircraft are ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) equipped, meaning they are certified to operate long distance over water routes. Allegiant says they are being purchased from an unnamed European operator that has been operating them since their original delivery from Boeing. For what it is worth, a rumor which began circulating in the summer of 2009 indicated that Allegiant had purchased six 757s from Thomsonfly which had been in storage.
While no Hawaii routes have been announced, based on the range of the 757 and Allegiant’s west coast focus cities, Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix Mesa are the most likely candidates for service to the islands.
The new aircraft will join the current fleet of 46 MD-80s. By the end of 2010, Allegiant will operate 52 MD-80s and two Boeing 757s.
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