Allegiant reports passenger traffic up 14.4 percent

Allegiant Air, a unit of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., on Tuesday said year-to-year passenger traffic rose 14.4 percent in April as it boosted its available-seat count.

In a statement, Allegiant, which flies passengers from smaller U.S. cities to Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., said revenue passenger miles rose to 457,731 from 400,025. Available seat miles rose 14.2 percent to 505,680 from 442,757. Passenger count rose 8.6 percent to 484,079 from 445,881.

In April, Allegiant Travel reported a 19.8 percent drop in first-quarter earnings to $22.6 million, or $1.12 per share, from $28.2 million, or $1.37 per share, a year earlier. First-quarter net revenues rose 19.4 percent to $169.6 million from $142.1 million.

In trading on the Nasdaq National Market, Allegiant Travel shares fell $1.70, or 3.27 percent, to close at $50.34.