Brownsville adds new carrier, flights

BROWNSVILLE – With an increase in passenger activity resulting in the highest number of enplanements, Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport has announced an expansion in carriers and flights with the addition of Allegiant Airlines and two new American Airlines flights to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Allegiant began offering the only nonstop jet service between Cameron County and Las Vegas via Brownsville twice a week this month. Brownsville is now Allegiant’s fourth market in the state.

Brownsville Director of Aviation Larry Brown said the economic impact of each additional flight includes 200 permanent jobs, $300,000 in extra sales tax revenue and a $20 million impact on the region.

In 2014, the airport recorded more than 207,000 passenger enplanements. Officials expect to surpass that number in 2015.