Recruitment under way to hire 60 new workers at Allegiant Airlines in Grand Rapids

By Sharon Hanks

Allegiant Air, LLC announced this week that recruitment is underway to hire 60 new workers to support the opening of its new base of operations at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.

The low-cost airlines, a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Co., also announced the expansion of its nonstop service from Grand Rapids to a sixth destination -- Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- starting April 30 with twice-a-week flights debuting at $58.88 one way.

Hiring has already started to fill 60 "well-compensated positions," the company announced, including those for pilots, ground handlers, customer service agents, flight attendants and aircraft technicians.

"This is obviously a very good thing for Michigan, considering its economy," says Sabrina Lopiccolo, Allegiant Air's public relations manager in Las Vegas, Nev. "If they go to our website and look for careers, they'll be able to see the open positions there.

"The community has been very responsive to our low-cost service over the past year, so we're very excited to become a community partner," she adds.

The expanded operations in Grand Rapids will start April 27 when the carrier will base two 150-seat jet aircraft at the airport for 34 flights per week.

Since starting nonstop service in February last year from Grand Rapids to Orlando and Tampa Bay, Fla., Allegiant has added service to the Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In the past year, Allegiant Air has carried more than 131,000 passengers while leaving or arriving at the Grand Rapids airport, company officials report.

"The new jobs created by this expansion are further evidence that West Michigan is vibrant, successful and growing," Jim Koslosky, executive director of the Grand Rapids airport, said in a news release.

Sources: Sabrina Lopiccolo, public relations manager for Allegiant Air, LLC, in Las Vegas, NV; website of Allegiant Air.

Sharon Hanks is the innovations and job news editor at Rapid Growth Media. She can be reached at [email protected].