This Major Budget Airline Is Leaving Los Angeles International Airport For Good

An airline known for its pocket-friendly fares to smaller cities has announced that it's canceling it's flights between Los Angeles International Airport for good. Allegiant Air might have saved you money since its launch in 1997, but if you're a Los Angeles traveler, you're about to lose one of your cheapest ticket options.

The carrier hasn't given a full public analysis as to their reasons for stopping LAX flights, but tight gate availability, increasing competition, and the rise in operation costs due to LAX's busy schedule have been the major points for its subsequent evacuation. After all, one of the major reasons why budget airlines might be endangered is the steady rise in fees and limited gate space at an airport in a big city. For this reason, it's not so surprising that Allegiant Air has taken this bold step away from LAX, much to the disappointment of its regular flyers.

For an airline as cheap as Allegiant Air, operating at Los Angeles International Airport can be tricky in terms of logistics. Keeping turnaround times short and costs low might be an easier task in some quieter cities, but in one of the busiest airports in the world, this can be a Herculean task. The competition from Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and major network carriers who have succeeded in chipping away at that same niche have made it more difficult for Allegiant Air to carry on.

By moving away from LAX, Allegiant Air will be able to redeploy aircrafts to airports where both the landing fees and turnaround times will be more favorable. Lower landing fees and faster turnaround times will prove much more beneficial in less populated areas. For travelers, this means flights that used to depart from Los Angeles may soon be taking off from smaller airports nearby.

Just because Allegiant Air is leaving Los Angeles doesn't mean that's the end of it. In fact, its footprint is still very much in Southern California. The airline intends to double down on its regional approach by moving to Hollywood Burbank Airport with a focus on more free space and less-expensive parking. This approach will also bring about quicker security lines and a closer proximity to Hollywood attractions. Passengers can still continue to enjoy their ever-affordable fares, but by adjusting their departure/arrival airport. Flexible travel habits will also help secure a cheap plane ticket, like traveling mid-week or booking far ahead. This is why you should always start planning your vacation early.

What Allegiant Air has done is not uncommon in the airline industry, as budget carriers are known for their reassessing habit. For travelers, this shows why it's important to plan ahead. After all, getting the cheapest flight for any trip often means looking beyond the obvious airport choice and watching how airlines shift their networks over time. Allegiant Air's exit may disappoint you, but it doesn't mean all low fares are gone. All you have to do is know where to look, when to book, and which of the available airports give you the best advantage.