Allegiant honors BIA marketing efforts

Bangor International Airport was recognized Wednesday by its newest airline for helping establish a marketing campaign that has attracted many area fliers bound for warmer climes.

Allegiant Air LLC, a Las Vegas-based company, presented the airport with an Excellence in Marketing award during a company gathering Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Tony Caruso, the airport’s assistant director, and marketing manager Risteen Masters were on hand to accept the award.

“The airport management team and city of Bangor have been a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to a successful, long-lasting relationship,” said Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., Allegiant Travel Co. president, in a statement.

Allegiant began its twice-weekly nonstop flights from BIA to Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida on Nov. 7, and since has added flights during the busy weeks of school vacation. Allegiant officials have said they were pleased by Bangor’s response to the nonstop Florida flights.

BIA was one of five airports to receive an award at the Las Vegas event, and it was one of 50 considered for the marketing award, according to Allegiant. BIA’s efforts stood out because its marketing program helped Allegiant establish a presence within the community, a news release said.

In 2003, the airport received a $310,000 Small Community Air Service Development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, $220,000 of which had to be used to attract and promote a low-cost service at BIA, said Rebecca Hupp, BIA’s director. The money was spent last year to bring Allegiant to Bangor and help promote the service, she said.

“We are very pleased that Allegiant Air presented this award to the airport, and that the community responded so positively to the service,” Hupp said. “I would like to give credit to all the employees who worked with Allegiant Air to help make this happen.”

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