International and domestic route rights held by Minnesota-based Sun Country will now also cover the airline’s parent company, Allegiant, the Department of Transportation ruled this week.
In a decision released Wednesday, department officials said the transfer will not harm competition or adversely affect the international trade position of the U.S. Going forward, Allegiant will be able to operate all Sun Country routes, though the two airlines will be barred from operating any route simultaneously.
The department found that Allegiant and Sun Country do not “meaningfully compete” at present and overlap on only one route – Appleton, Wisconsin, to Fort Myers, Florida.
The ruling could allow Allegiant to operate its first international flights. The carrier currently flies only within the U.S., while Sun Country offers flights to destinations in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Allegiant completed its acquisition of Sun Country in May. The two airlines are continuing to operate as separate entities until a single operating certificate is obtained from the FAA.
