Airline adds nonstop flights to Austin

Allegiant Air plans to add year-round nonstop service from the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Austin, Texas and seasonal nonstop service to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The flights to Austin will begin Feb. 17, with introductory fares as low as $44, according to a statement. Flights to Portsmouth begin Nov. 17 and end May 14, with fares as low as $75, the statement adds.

Both routes will operate twice weekly. The flights are estimated to bring in about 27,000 new travelers to the region, say St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport officials. Allegiant, a leading low-cost airline, now has 53 destinations from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.