Allegiant Air passenger count rises 15.6 percent in January

Allegiant Air posted substantial traffic gains in January, but that will likely come to a halt starting this month.

Allegiant Air carried 15.6 percent more passengers than in January 2010, boosting the occupancy rate of its seats to 91.8 percent, one of the highest in the industry. The number of flights rose 14 percent, although the average length declined due to some relatively short new routes such as Las Vegas to Bakersfield, Calif., and Long Beach, Calif.

However, the number of departures will decline 1 percent in February, with the amount of seat miles falling 3 percent. For the second quarter, the current plan calls for no growth to 4 percent growth in both categories -- a reduction from just a couple of months ago.

During the conference call with analysts to review fourth-quarter earnings, managers at Allegiant Air parent Allegiant Travel Co. said the company had been stung by escalating fuel prices, which have risen 20 percent since August for flights not including charters.