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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Trump, Sanders victorious in New Hampshire primaries ... Man jailed after allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Oregon man who killed officer had long criminal record ... Trump, Sanders victorious in New Hampshire primaries ... Man jailed after allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Oregon man who killed officer had long criminal record ... AIR TRAVEL Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 6:06 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 6:06 PM » Social News Allegiant Air resumes its service between Medford and Arizona Friday. The Las Vegas-based airline last flew the route between the Rogue Valley and Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport 20 months ago. Although snowbird travel between colder climes and the Desert Southwest has been the norm for decades, Allegiant's research has found there is a greater desire to flee the triple-digit heat for points to the north during the summer months. "Allegiant schedules its routes based on when we see peak demand for travel," said spokesman Brandon Myers. "Many routes in our network run only during the summer months. We see a lot of demand for reverse traffic, meaning more people traveling from Phoenix and Mesa to Medford for the summer." Airfares are commodity-priced these days, and Allegiant takes it to another level. Base fares for seats on the 166-passenger MD-80s are bargains, but the airline ups the ante for seat assignments, putting bags in overhead bins, soft drinks and water. One-way fares, booked on the airline's website, to Mesa next month begin at $47. However, this Friday's seats were priced at $107 Tuesday afternoon, and rates for the rest of summer bump around as well. Direct service between Medford and the nation's 14th-largest metropolitan area have been intermittent since America West Express first began daily flights amid fanfare and a Dixieland band in October 2002. The 50-passenger Canadian regional jets flown to downtown Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport were operated by Mesa Airlines. America West merged with US Airways in 2005, and subsequent cost-cutting efforts, along with Mesa's own financial woes, signaled the end to its service in 2008. Within a matter of weeks after US Airlines said it was pulling out of Medford, Allegiant said it was beginning flights to Mesa, a 20-minute drive from Sky Harbor. However, Allegiant flights have been generally seasonal. After service ended in fall 2013, Allegiant took a pass in 2014 before announcing late in the year it would pick up the routes this month. "I'm not sure why they skipped last summer, but I'm glad they're coming (back)," airport Director Bern Case said at the time. "It's amazing how many people ask about Phoenix service." This Friday's flight departs Medford at 7:53 p.m. and arrives in Mesa at 10:08 p.m. The flights from Arizona leave at 12:37 p.m. and arrive in Medford at 2:52 p.m. On Monday, the plane leaves Medford at 7:45 p.m. and arrives at 10:01 p.m. The flight from Arizona departs at 12:40 p.m. and arrives at 2:54 p.m. Myers noted that times will vary as the summer wears on. Allegiant said the seasonal service will continue through at least Aug. 17. For reservations, telephone Allegiant at 702-505-8888 or go online to www.allegiantair.com . Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 6:06 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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