Beginning in February 2025, Allegiant Airlines will offer eight new nonstop flights from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

Destinations include Albany, New York; Elmira, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; Moline, Illinois; Omaha, Nebraska; and Roanoke, Virginia. The eight new Allegiant offerings bring SRQ's total number of nonstop flights to 67. Currently, 11 airlines serve the airport in addition to Allegiant: Air Canada, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country and United.

“As we approach the grand opening of our new Concourse A, we are excited to see Allegiant expand its routes. This will bring the number of nonstop Allegiant destinations at SRQ to 35," Rick Piccolo, the airport's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

SRQ sustained major damage after Hurricane Milton ripped through Sarasota in October. The storm tore the roof off Concourse B, which is home to the airport's gates and security checkpoint. Repairs cost an estimated $4 million and shut down the airport for five days after the storm.

However, despite the setbacks from the hurricanes, the airport's ongoing expansion—which broke ground in March 2023 and includes a new 75,300-square-foot five-gate terminal, four-lane security checkpoint and five boarding hold rooms with 970 seats—continues apace, with a grand opening scheduled for Jan. 15. (The planned completion date was originally December 2024.)

In addition to the new facilities, 2025 will also bring new leadership to the airport. Piccolo announced this week that he'll retire on June 30, 2025, after 30 years at the helm. A national search will commence for his successor, and Piccolo will continue in an advisory role for six months after his retirement date.