- February 14, 2025
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A custom design sets apart one Allegiant plane based at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport’s new terminal. The names of the airport’s two major cities are emblazoned on a wrap around the Airbus A320’s fuselage in a move that tourism and aviation officials say represents a collaborative effort to boost the area's regional profile.
One side of the plane says “Visit Sarasota beaches and beyond” with a sea turtle, while the other side features a manatee and says “Bradenton,” with the names “Anna Maria Island” and “Longboat Key” in smaller text below.
Starfish and seashells decorate the engine covers of the plane, representing another tribute to the area’s beaches.
The $63,231 wrap was funded by the Tourist Development Tax, a 6% tax charged on lodging stays under six months, with the cost split evenly by two agencies — Visit Sarasota County and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, according to Visit Sarasota County.
“Working jointly with the VSC and BACVB to create an environment that incentivizes growth, we have been able to elevate the profile of the Sarasota and Bradenton area,” Allegiant’s Chief Commercial Officer Drew Wells says in a statement. “We are excited to debut this new livery, which stands as a symbol of our collaboration with great partners who have been instrumental in Allegiant’s success as a preferred ultra-low-cost carrier in the region.”
Annually, Allegiant serves more than 832,600 passengers and offers more nonstop destinations from SRQ than any other carrier, Wells says.
The custom-designed plane was unveiled during a Jan. 14 ribbon cutting for Concourse A, which consists of five ground-based gates all leased by Allegiant.
“This is just another example of how strong partnerships lead to unique and creative ideas,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Executive Director Elliott Falcione says in a statement. “This will no doubt enhance both our business objectives while creating intrigue in the region for potential visitors around the country.”
The plane is one of only seven in Allegiant’s fleet to bear a special livery, according to Allegiant. It marks the first livery highlighting a particular destination or region, with the airline reporting others have been designed to promote marketing or corporate giving partnerships like Make-A-Wish or the Las Vegas Raiders.
“This branded aircraft is yet another way we’re strengthening our region’s status as a must-experience destination nationally, helping not only invite more visitors but also keep local businesses thriving and residents employed,” Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, says in a statement.
Visit Sarasota County and Bradenton Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau teamed up with SRQ in 2017 to create the airline marketing program, which incentivizes airlines to bring new routes to the area. As new flights are secured, both tourism agencies provide marketing dollars to promote Florida's West Coast in target markets. The program has highlighted Sarasota and Manatee counties in more than 40 destinations through seven different airlines since it was created.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant provides service to 27 destinations out of SRQ and is adding eight more flights starting in February, following the opening of the new terminal.
“The custom design is a striking celebration of our region and Allegiant’s expanding routes from SRQ," Duggan says.
While it will be traveling to various cities around the country, the plane will have a daily presence at the airport whose names it bears on either side of its fuselage. Allegiant operates an “out and back” network, meaning each plane starts and ends its day at a single base, which for the custom-wrapped plane will be SRQ.