Allegiant adding flights from St. Pete-Clearwater airport to State College, Pa., and Traverse City, Mich.

CLEARWATER — Allegiant said Tuesday it is adding nonstop flights between St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and State College, Pa., the home of Penn State University and Traverse City, Mich.

For Allegiant, which already flies to 52 cities from the Pinellas airport, the additions are about getting tourists to the beach.

"We've seen pent-up demand in these markets for nonstop, ultra-low-cost service to the Tampa Bay area, and we're excited to offer travelers the chance to enjoy everything this gorgeous destination has to offer," Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue Drew Wells said in an announcement released through the airport.

Flights to and from Traverse City, Mich. begin Oct. 16. Flights to State College, Pa., begin Oct. 18. Allegiant said it is offering introductory fares on Tuesday and Wednesday to promote the new service. Allegiant will fly the new routes twice a week, which is expected to bring nearly 36,000 passengers to the Tampa Bay area a year.

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Contact Richard Danielson at rdanielson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3403. Follow @Danielson_Times.