By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Allegiant Air plans to shut down its operations in Los Angeles, ending the low-cost air carrier’s plans to resume flights between Rockford and LAX this spring.
Allegiant is closing its LAX hub on Sept. 2 after 16 years in operation, but the effect on Rockford flights is immediate. The Chicago Rockford International Airport has already removed its routes to LAX, which were slated to resume in May. Other seasonal flights offered by Allegiant, including the second season of travel to Nashville, are still available.
Allegiant started flying between RFD and LAX seasonally in 2024, with flights offered between mid-June and mid-October. They were initially scheduled to resume May 21.
The airline cited unsustainable operating costs in Los Angeles for its decision to close, according to multiple industry trade publications.
The closure affects eight other routes aside from Rockford: Billings Logan International Airport and Glacier Park International Airport in Montana, Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, Laredo International Airport in Texas, Rogue Valley International Airport in Oregon, Memphis International Airport and Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee, and Rapid City Regional Airport in South Dakota.
Rockford airport officials said they were informed of the air carrier’s plans this week.
“Allegiant Air informed the airport this week of the planned closure of its operating base at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As a result, the airline will be discontinuing nine routes from LAX, including service to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD),” airport officials said in a statement. “The seasonal flights to LAX, which were expected to return to RFD in May, will no longer be available to passengers. All other routes, including the return of seasonal flights to Nashville in May, continue to be affordable travel options for RFD passengers.”
The end of flights to LA comes on the heels of a record year for passenger service in Rockford. RFD welcomed 262,432 passengers in 2024, which was a 9% increase from 2023. The record numbers were partially attributed to new flights to Nashville and LA.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
