A new (old) airline returned to Rochester Thursday, offering twice weekly nonstop flights to Phoenix.
Allegiant Air had previously offered flights between Rochester and Las Vegas, but pulled out of the market in 2010 because of lack of demand. But officials are hopeful about the Arizona route, noting the Mayo Clinic has a campus there and it's a strong tourist destination – particularly in winter. Las Vegas-based Allegiant was offering introductory fares for $99 each way for the Thursday and Sunday flights. Airport director Steve Leqve told the Rochester Post-Bulletin Phoenix could just be the beginning. "Hopefully, this will grow into something even more significant." That could mean adding flights from Rochester to other popular Allegiant destinations, like Orlando, Fla., or even Las Vegas.
