DALLAS — Allegiant Air (G4) will close its crew base in Los Angeles, California, just months after closing a base in Austin, Texas. The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) announced the decision on Tuesday, blaming the closure on rising airport fees, according to airlinegeeks.com.

The Los Angeles base, which opened in 2009, was a key component of Allegiant's West Coast operations. Over the years, the airline has grown its footprint in the region, placing a fourth aircraft at the base in 2021. 

Allegiant stated it is still committed to Los Angeles and will operate all flights as turnarounds from other bases.

Official Statement

“Los Angeles is a key city for our network,” a G4 spokesman said in a statement. “We will still serve Los Angeles with all flights as turns from other bases, delivering our customers the outstanding service they have come to expect from Allegiant.”

The base closure, which will take effect on Sept. 2, 2024, will apply to both pilots and flight attendants based there. The cut-flight crew members will most likely be shifted to other Allegiant bases, although no details regarding reassignment have been shared.

Route Cuts

With the base closure, G4 will end service from the Los Angeles area to nine cities. The airline has not yet published a complete list of routes that would be affected. Still, the action is consistent with the airline's work to fine-tune network efficiency and better control operating costs.

Using bases to efficiently manage crew scheduling and aircraft operations has long been a central part of Allegiant’s business model. However, due to increasing airport costs, the carrier is changing its strategy to remain profitable and serve key destinations.

As the ULCC restructures its network, it is staying the course in providing low-cost travel but is adjusting to meet the airline industry's economic and operational pressures.

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