Despite last night’s blown call at the plate. the Red Sox are in an all out dog fight for first place in the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays. Whatever the outcome is in October, fans will have reason to look forward to Spring Training 2014. Today, Allegiant Air announced they were adding 8 nonstop routes to Punta Gorda, FL. Among those will be Bangor

International.

On hand at a press conference in the Domestic Arrivals Building were local representatives from Maine’s leaders in Washington DC, airport representatives and others to celebrate the announcement. Bangor International Airport Manager Tony Caruso, a huge baseball fan said “As a baseball fan myself, I’m sure I’ll be using that flight.” In a press release Allegiant Travel Andrew C. Levy said “We are pleased to add the beaches of Southwest Florida as another affordable, convenient destination option for Bangor residents.”

Allegiant Air currently offers flights from Bangor to two destinations in Florida. Orlando’s

Sanford International Airport and St Pete/Clearwater International Airport. The flights are serviced with MD-80 jets. With today’s announcement also came a newcomer to the Allegiant fleet. An Airbus A319 arrived from Orlando Sanford around 11:15am to a water canon welcome. The aircraft had yet to receive the popular blue and yellow livery and had Allegiant Air LLC in small black lettering over the forward windows.  Allegiant has been adding more fuel efficient aircraft to their fleet in the form of the Airbus A319’s as well as Boeing 757’s for longer haul routes.

With the new service, Allegiant will be centrally located between Sarasota, Fort Meyers, Sanibel Island and Captiva. Flights will begin October 30th and run twice weekly from Bangor. Allegiant is offering discounted fares if booked before August

6th and you must fly by February 11th, 2014. Fares are $124 each way. Other cities adding service are Des Moines, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA Springfield/Branson, MO, Moline/Quad Cities, IL, Allentown PA and Youngstown OH.