Travel company Allegiant says air traffic jumped 21.6 percent in January

Allegiant says traffic rose in January

LAS VEGAS — Allegiant Air, which carries passengers from smaller cities to resort locations such as Las Vegas, said Tuesday that traffic jumped 21.6 percent in January, exceeding the carrier’s increase in capacity.

Allegiant said paying passengers flew 368.5 million miles last month, up from 303 million miles in January 2009. The small but fast-growing airline has reported double-digit traffic gains in recent months.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant, which is part of a travel company that also sells hotel rooms and car rentals, said it increased capacity by 19.9 percent, to 408 million available seat miles, which is a measure of one seat flown one mile. Airlines raise capacity by adding flights or using bigger planes with more seats.

With traffic rising faster than capacity, the average plane was more crowded. Average occupancy in January was 90.3 percent, compared with 89 percent a year earlier.

Shares of parent Allegiant Travel Co. rose 90 cents to $52.10 in afternoon trading.