Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines are merging, and that’s shaking up air travel in Southwest Florida. These two carriers already connect the region to the Midwest and Northeast, loading up flights with vacationers heading in and out of the area. Now, by joining forces, they plan to offer even more flights to mid-sized cities and top vacation spots.
Both airlines have a big footprint at Punta Gorda Airport, which has quietly become a major low-cost gateway for Southwest Florida. Together, they fly nonstop to over 40 cities, mostly in the Midwest and Northeast; Minneapolis–St. Paul, Des Moines, Appleton, Allentown, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Punta Gorda thrives as a seasonal hub for travelers looking for affordable getaways.
They also overlap at Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County. Allegiant runs nonstop flights to places like Allentown and Appleton, while Sun Country zeroes in on Upper Midwest cities, like Appleton, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and, of course, Minneapolis–St. Paul, one of its primary bases.
Allegiant is buying Sun Country in a deal worth about $1.5 billion, a mix of cash and stock. When the dust settles, the combined airline will handle around 22 million passengers each year and fly to nearly 175 cities. Nationwide, together they’ll operate close to 200 aircraft and over 650 routes, blending Allegiant’s focus on smaller markets with Sun Country’s bigger-city and international reach. Sun Country’s cargo and charter business adds another layer to the mix.
Leaders from both companies are calling this a win for travelers. Allegiant CEO Gregory Anderson says the merger is a big step forward for their mission to make travel affordable, reliable, and easy, especially from cities that bigger airlines often ignore. According to Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker, both companies prioritize customers and offer affordable prices while maintaining standards.
Allegiant expects the deal to bring in about $140 million in cost savings within three years and boost profits in the first year after closing. The new headquarters will be in Las Vegas, but they’ll keep a powerful presence in Minneapolis–St. Paul.
The merger still needs the green light from regulators and shareholders, but if all goes as planned, it should close in the latter part of 2026. For Southwest Florida, this means more flights, more options, and even better connections to the Midwest and Northeast, the very routes that have helped airports like Punta Gorda and RSW take off.
