One of the budget airlines serving the Tri-Cities Airport has acquired another regional airline, a move the company’s leaders said will expand its travel network internationally while maintaining its affordable fares.  

Allegiant Air announced Jan. 13 it has reached an agreement to bring Sun Country Airlines, based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, under its wing for roughly $1.5 billion. The deal is in its initial stages, and Allegiant officials said travelers will not see any immediate impact to their ticketing, flight schedules or travel experience.  

But the combined airlines will eventually create “one of the most adaptable and resilient airline models in the industry, with the ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions, traveler demand, and charter and cargo partner needs.”  

“This combination is an exciting next chapter in Allegiant and Sun Country’s shared mission in providing affordable, reliable, and convenient service from underserved communities to premier leisure destinations,” said Gregory C. Anderson, Allegiant CEO, in a statement. “Together, our complementary networks will expand our reach to more vacation destinations including international locations.” 

Allegiant’s routes connect small regional airports with more than 30 larger cities across the country. It currently offers flights between the Tri-Cities and Phoenix/Mesa in Arizona; Las Vegas and Santa Ana/Orange County in California.  

Nearly all of Sun Country’s flights originate from its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul. In addition to flying to destinations across the U.S., it offers flights to destinations in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.