Evansville to get direct air service to Destin, Florida, this summer

Allegiant and the airport are formally announcing Tuesday the start of nonstop service to Destin, Florida, starting June 8.

The back-and-forth flights will be offered two days a week.

The Emerald Coast is a popular destination for travelers from Evansville and surrounding communities, said Doug Joest, the airport’s manager.

“A lot of people from the Evansville area have historically driven there for vacation,” Joest said. “This gets them out of their car. They can spend more time at the beach.”

There’s also been substantial migration over the years to and from Evansville and the Emerald Coast, airport officials noted.

One-way fares on the new route will be as low as $61, according to Allegiant. The airline said the flights will be “seasonal.”

“I think that means they aren’t committing beyond summer, but if it does good it will probably stick,” Joest said.

Destin-Fort Walton Airport will be the second destination served by Evansville Regional Airport via Allegiant; flights to Orlando-Sanford International Airport started in 2016.

“They have been very pleased with those flights from a performance and marketing standpoint,” said Leslie Fella, the airport’s marketing director. “That’s been part of the reason for their expansion here.”

One wish for the future is to add service to the New York City area, officials said. EVV is the only commercial airport in Indiana without a nonstop flight to the Big Apple.

“We talk to numerous airlines several times a year, just prospecting if you will,” Joest said.