Allegiant restarts at HSV with Florida, Gulf Shores routes
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You can soon make your next trip to Gulf Shores by plane. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
Allegiant Air restarts its Huntsville service Wednesday with a direct flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Why it matters: Allegiant's new nonstop routes give locals more options and show Huntsville International Airport is growing in more than passenger numbers, terminal renovations and parking facilities.
Zoom in: On Tuesday, the airline also announced new routes to Gulf Shores International Airport, including from Huntsville, starting May 21, 2026.
- Gulf Shores will also see Allegiant service to and from Omaha, Nebraska; Oklahoma City; Louisville, Kentucky; and Springfield, Mississippi.
- "People have asked for a Gulf Shores flight for years," said HSV CEO Butch Roberts in a release. "Now you don't have to worry about I-65 traffic - you can just enjoy the trip."
Catch up quick: Announced in August, the new nonstop route for HSV to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport starts Wednesday.
- Allegiant's service to Sanford, Florida, via Orlando Sanford International Airport begins Feb. 12, 2026, and to St. Petersburg via St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport starts March 5, 2026.
What they're saying: "They're low-fare, large-aircraft, first-class seating," Roberts said of the new routes at an event Tuesday. "That's everything we're looking for in our community."
- "We have definitely seen the growth in the market since we were here previously," said Susan Kittle, airport affairs manager for Las Vegas-based Allegiant.
- "We're very excited," she said. "We look forward to being here for a long time and a lot of growth."
Traffic up despite shutdown
Despite the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, traffic at HSV in October still beat last year's numbers, according to data from the airport board's Tuesday-morning meeting.
By the numbers: With 152,821 passengers for the month, October 2025 was up nearly 4% over October 2024, marking a 6.5% year-to-date increase over last year.
- The total 191,666 seats in October represented a 10% increase.