Allegiant Airlines shifting Punta Gorda Airport operations to partner company

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — A tip sent to WINK News on Tuesday claimed Allegiant employees at Punta Gorda Airport had received emails saying they were being terminated, sparking concern among workers about their future.

After receiving the tip, WINK News immediately began working to verify the claims.

The first step was reaching out to Allegiant Airlines for clarification.

While the airline did not confirm claims of mass terminations, it did confirm a significant operational change at Punta Gorda Airport.

In a statement, Allegiant said it is transitioning base operations at Punta Gorda Airport to Avflight, one of its long-standing operational partners. The airline also said employees are not being terminated and that current employees will have the opportunity to continue working through Avflight.

As WINK News reviewed the statement, one line stood out:

"All current employees are guaranteed employment with Avflight, subject to standard background screening requirements."

That language raised additional questions.

See the full statement below: 

"Allegiant is transitioning base operations at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) to Avflight, one of our long-standing operational partners. Avflight currently operates multiple bases in our network and has a proven track record of safety, reliability, and customer service.

Employees are not being terminated and will have the opportunity to continue their employment with Avflight. All current employees are guaranteed employment with Avflight, subject to standard background screening requirements.

The transition includes enhanced compensation, protection of seniority, retention and sign-on bonuses, and additional transitional support. Employees will also continue to receive travel privileges through Allegiant with benefits available from day one.

As our network evolves, we continuously evaluate where we operate directly and where a partner-led model can support the unique needs of a specific location. PGD is one of those environments.

Following a comprehensive review, we determined that a tailored operating model with Avflight is the best way to support this station going forward."

WINK News began looking into Avflight, a company that provides airline ground-handling services, including baggage handling, ramp operations, and other airport support services.

To better understand who could be affected, WINK News reached out to the Charlotte County Airport Authority, Avflight, Trego Dugan Aviation—identified as a company involved in ground handling operations at Punta Gorda Airport—and TWU Local 577, the union representing more than 1,800 Allegiant flight attendants across 22 bases nationwide.

WINK News also reviewed TWU Local 577's communications to see whether the union had addressed the reported transition. As of Tuesday evening, there had been no public statements regarding the Punta Gorda operation.

WINK News asked each organization whether the transition primarily affects ground handling employees, whether any jobs are being eliminated and what impact, if any, the change could have on airport operations and travelers.

The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce was also contacted to determine whether local business leaders had been notified of the change.

As of publication, Allegiant is the only organization to respond.

The questions come as Punta Gorda Airport continues a major expansion project that will add a new departures concourse, expanded passenger space, improved restrooms and additional food and beverage options.

WINK News will continue working to determine which employees are affected, how the transition will take place and whether passengers will notice any changes as more information becomes available.