Toledo Express Airport (TOL) bids farewell to Allegiant Airlines’ McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft after serving the Toledo market for nearly 13 years. The MD-80 will depart TOL for the last time on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 9:26 a.m., and will fully retire from Allegiant’s fleet by the end of November.
The MD-80 started serving the Toledo market when Allegiant service began at TOL on Dec. 15, 2005. This aircraft has allowed Allegiant to transport over 1 million Toledo area travelers nonstop to popular vacation destinations, and has allowed Allegiant to grow to become one of the largest ultra low-cost carriers in the country.
“The MD-80 ushered in an era of tremendous growth for Allegiant Airlines, bringing nonstop service and low fares to communities like Toledo that simply would not have been possible without this aircraft,” said Paul Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “The Toledo Region is thankful for what this aircraft has meant to the area and looks forward to many more years of Allegiant service at TOL on the more efficient Airbus aircraft.”
Allegiant is replacing the MD-80 with newer Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. These aircraft, which feature up to 186 seats, have already begun service on select flights to and from TOL. The Airbus aircraft represent a significant improvement in the customer experience by featuring a more modern cabin and are more environmentally friendly, achieving significant fuel savings versus the older generation MD-80.
