Allegiant Cuts Flights Amid Declining Transborder Travel Demand

Key Takeaways

• Allegiant Air suspends Bellingham–Palm Springs flights until October 2025 due to low transborder demand.
• Bellingham–Las Vegas route cut to five weekly flights from July 2025, no Tuesdays flights.
• New Bellingham–San Diego route launched May 2025, increasing July 2025 capacity by 4% year-over-year.

Allegiant Air Cuts Flights from Bellingham Amid Transborder Travel Slump

Allegiant Air, a major low-cost airline in the United States 🇺🇸, has announced a series of flight cuts and schedule changes for routes serving transborder markets, especially those connecting Bellingham, Washington, with popular destinations. These changes come as airlines across the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 face a sharp drop in cross-border travel demand, leading to route suspensions, reduced flight frequencies, and broader industry adjustments. The latest moves by Allegiant Air highlight how ongoing economic uncertainty and shifting travel patterns are reshaping the way people move between the two countries.

What’s Happening?

Allegiant Air is suspending its Bellingham–Palm Springs route for the summer, with plans to resume service in October 2025. The Bellingham–Las Vegas route, another favorite among Canadian travelers, will see its frequency reduced from daily flights to five times per week starting July 2025, with no flights on Tuesdays. Despite these cuts, Allegiant’s overall July 2025 capacity at Bellingham is still up about 4% compared to July 2024, thanks to the recent launch of a new Bellingham–San Diego route in May 2025.

These changes are not happening in isolation. Other airlines, including Air Canada 🇨🇦 and WestJet 🇨🇦, are also reducing their transborder seat offerings by 10% in July 2025. This reflects a wider trend of airlines scaling back operations between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 as demand remains weak.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

Allegiant Air’s CEO, Greg Anderson, explained that the airline will “continue to adjust capacity aggressively during the remainder of the year,” pointing to “broad economic uncertainty” as a key reason. While an Allegiant spokesperson said that frequency changes are common and not always tied directly to transborder demand, the timing and focus on Bellingham—a key airport for Canadian travelers—suggest that the drop in cross-border traffic is a major factor.

Mike Hogan, Public Affairs Administrator for the Port of Bellingham, confirmed that the airport has seen a decline in Canadian travelers. Bellingham International Airport has long relied on passengers from Canada 🇨🇦, who often cross the border to take advantage of lower fares on U.S. carriers like Allegiant Air.

Key Route Adjustments at a Glance

• Bellingham–Palm Springs: Service suspended for the summer; scheduled to resume October 2025.
• Bellingham–Las Vegas: Reduced from daily to five times weekly; no flights on Tuesdays starting July 2025.
• Bellingham–San Diego: New route launched in May 2025, helping to offset some of the lost capacity.
• Overall July 2025 Capacity: Still up 4% year-over-year at Bellingham, despite the cuts.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

For many Canadian travelers, Bellingham has been a convenient and affordable gateway to U.S. destinations. The airport is just a short drive from the Canadian border, making it a popular choice for people from Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia. With Allegiant Air cutting flights, travelers may face fewer options, higher prices, and the need to adjust their travel plans.

Here’s what affected passengers should do:

1. Notification: If you’re booked on a flight that’s been canceled or changed, Allegiant Air should contact you directly with details.
   2. Rebooking: Allegiant usually offers rebooking options on different dates or routes, depending on availability.
2. Refunds: If rebooking doesn’t work for you, you can request a refund for the affected part of your trip.
   4. Customer Support: For help, contact Allegiant Customer Care or use their mobile app for real-time updates and options.

For official information on your rights as an airline passenger in the United States 🇺🇸, you can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.

Impact on Bellingham and the Broader Region

Bellingham International Airport depends heavily on cross-border travelers, especially Canadians looking for cheaper flights to U.S. destinations. Allegiant Air is the largest carrier at the airport, so any cuts to its schedule can have a big impact on airport revenue, local tourism, and related businesses.

Mike Hogan from the Port of Bellingham noted that the decline in Canadian travelers has been noticeable. However, the introduction of new routes, such as the Bellingham–San Diego flight, may help offset some of the losses. Still, the airport and the surrounding community will need to adapt to the changing travel landscape.

Industry-Wide Trends: Transborder Markets Under Pressure

Allegiant Air’s moves are part of a larger pattern affecting transborder markets between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦. Air Canada and WestJet, the two largest Canadian airlines, are cutting their seat offerings to the United States 🇺🇸 by 10% in July 2025. This is a clear sign that the entire industry is feeling the effects of weak demand.

Aviation analysts say that Allegiant’s approach is consistent with its business model. The airline focuses on flexibility, serving leisure travelers and underserved markets. This allows Allegiant to quickly add or reduce flights as demand changes. The current slump in transborder travel is being blamed on a mix of economic uncertainty, changing travel habits after the pandemic, and ongoing political tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦.

Multiple Perspectives on the Changes

• Airline Perspective: Allegiant Air and other carriers are making these changes to stay financially healthy and efficient. By cutting underperforming routes and adding new ones in stronger markets, they can better match their resources to where people want to fly.
• Airport Perspective: Airports like Bellingham, which rely on cross-border traffic, face challenges when airlines cut flights. However, Allegiant’s willingness to launch new domestic routes could help soften the blow.
• Traveler Perspective: For Canadian travelers who have long used U.S. border airports for cheaper flights, these changes mean less convenience and possibly higher costs. Some may need to look for other airports or adjust their travel plans.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bellingham was a favorite airport for Canadians looking for affordable flights on U.S. carriers. The border location made it easy for people from Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia to drive down and catch a flight.

After the pandemic, cross-border travel has struggled to bounce back. Economic uncertainty, new travel habits, and political issues have all played a role in keeping demand low. Airlines like Allegiant Air, which have always focused on point-to-point leisure routes, are used to adjusting their schedules based on demand. Seasonal changes and quick responses to market shifts are part of their normal operations.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Allegiant Air and Transborder Markets?

• Short-Term: Allegiant Air will keep a close eye on demand and make more changes if needed. The Bellingham–Palm Springs route is expected to return in October 2025, but this depends on how many people want to fly.
• Medium-Term: While cutting some routes, Allegiant is also growing in other areas. In 2025, the airline is adding 44 new nonstop routes and three new cities, showing that it’s moving resources to where demand is stronger.
• Industry Trend: If demand for transborder travel doesn’t pick up, more cuts or changes could happen across the industry. Airlines will keep adjusting their schedules to match where people want to go.

Practical Steps for Affected Passengers

If you’re a traveler affected by these changes, here’s what you should do:

• Check Your Email: Allegiant Air should contact you if your flight is canceled or changed.
• Visit the Allegiant Website: For the latest updates, go to the Allegiant Air official website.
• Use the Mobile App: Download the Allegiant app for real-time flight status and notifications.
• Contact Customer Care: If you need help with rebooking or refunds, reach out to Allegiant’s customer service team.
• Know Your Rights: For information on airline passenger rights in the United States 🇺🇸, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.

Summary Table: Allegiant’s Recent Route Adjustments (Bellingham, WA)

Expert Analysis: What Does This Mean for the Future?

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Allegiant Air’s quick response to changing demand is typical for the airline. By focusing on flexibility and serving leisure travelers, Allegiant can move resources to where they are most needed. The current cuts in transborder markets are a direct response to weak demand, but the airline’s expansion in other areas shows that it is still growing overall.

Aviation experts believe that unless there is a strong rebound in cross-border travel, airlines will keep making these kinds of adjustments. This could mean more route suspensions, reduced frequencies, or even new routes in different markets.

Implications for Stakeholders

• Travelers: Canadian travelers who rely on Bellingham for affordable flights may need to look for other options or pay higher prices. It’s important to check flight schedules and plan ahead.
• Airports: Bellingham International Airport and others like it will need to find ways to attract new routes or boost local demand to make up for lost cross-border traffic.
• Airlines: Carriers like Allegiant Air will keep focusing on flexibility, adding or cutting routes as needed to stay profitable.
• Local Businesses: Hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that depend on airport traffic may see changes in customer numbers, especially if fewer Canadians are flying from Bellingham.

What Should Travelers Do Now?

If you’re planning to fly from Bellingham or another airport affected by these changes, here are some tips:

• Book Early: With fewer flights, seats may fill up faster, especially on popular routes.
• Check for Alternatives: Look at other nearby airports or different travel dates to find the best options.
• Stay Informed: Sign up for flight alerts and check airline websites regularly for the latest updates.
• Understand Refund Policies: Make sure you know your rights if your flight is canceled or changed.

Official Resources and Contact Information

• Allegiant Customer Care: For help with flight changes, rebooking, or refunds, visit the Allegiant Air official website.
• Flight Status and Notifications: Download the Allegiant mobile app or check the website for real-time updates.
• Bellingham International Airport: For airport-specific information, visit the Port of Bellingham’s official site.

Conclusion: A Changing Landscape for Transborder Travel

The recent cuts by Allegiant Air highlight the challenges facing transborder markets between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦. With fewer Canadians crossing the border to fly from Bellingham, airlines and airports are being forced to adapt. While some routes are being cut or reduced, others are being added, showing that the industry is still very much in flux.

Travelers should stay alert to changes, check their flight status regularly, and be ready to adjust their plans. As the situation develops, airlines like Allegiant Air will continue to make changes to their schedules, always looking for the best way to serve their customers and stay competitive in a tough market.

For the most up-to-date information, always check with your airline and official government resources before making travel plans.

Learn Today

Transborder markets → Flight routes connecting the US and Canada across their shared border.
Capacity → The total number of seats airlines offer on specific routes within a timeframe.
Frequency reduction → Decreasing how often flights operate on a route within a set period.
Point-to-point leisure routes → Airline routes served nonstop between two destinations, often targeting vacation travelers.
Flight suspension → Temporary halt of a flight route, with planned resumption deferred to a later date.

This Article in a Nutshell

Allegiant Air cuts flights from Bellingham amid declining US-Canada cross-border travel. Key routes face suspensions and reductions, but a new San Diego route boosts capacity. Economic uncertainty and shifting travel patterns shape these adjustments, impacting Canadian travelers and the regional airport’s operations.
— By VisaVerge.com