St. Petersburg, Florida -- In the last week Allegiant Air has added five new nonstop destinations between St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Richmond, Virginia; Omaha, Nebraska; and Hagerstown, Maryland.
The moves brings the number of nonstop flights by the airline out of the airport to 40.
"They not only sell tickets to ride on their plane, but they sell packages for people to vacation on the wonderful beaches we have here in Pinellas County," said Noah Lagos, the airport's director.
In October, the number of passengers who used the airport was up 28% from the same month a year ago.
"Year-to-date we're up about 23 percent from a year ago," said Lagos."
So, how does the airport plan to accommodate more passengers?
"As we continue to grow we now have a new phase of terminal development that just started design and construction."
With a capacity of about 250 in the terminal next to the baggage claim, a plan is underway for an expansion.
"We're going to almost about double the size of one of those concourses and add new food and beverage and news and retail shops."
Security lines aren't generally an issue at the airport, with that will change with more passengers so an effort us already underway to make sure there is no wait.
Increased traffic at the airport will also require more parking spaces in the main lot and overflow lot located on the opposite side of Roosevelt Boulevard.
"We're going to start a new project to add somewhere between seven hundred and eight hundred spaces to our remote parking lot."
Work in the additional parking spaces is expected to be completed by Christmas of 2015, with work to extend the terminal next to baggage claim expected to start a few months later.
