Allegiant Air to Close Crew Base at Bellingham International Airport; All Routes and Flight Service to Continue

Bellingham International Airport (BLI) has been informed by Allegiant Air that it will close its crew base in Bellingham in November 2026. Importantly, Allegiant has confirmed it will continue operating all existing routes and maintaining its current flight schedule at BLI.

An airline crew base is a location where pilots and flight attendants are permanently assigned and where their work rotations begin and end. While the closure of a base changes crew scheduling, it does not affect the flights available to passengers. Allegiant will transition to a “turn-based” model, where crews and aircraft operate routes from other bases without overnight stays in Bellingham.

“This decision is related to how Allegiant organizes its internal operations, not its commitment to the traveling public of Whatcom County,” said Matt Rodriguez, Director of Aviation at Bellingham International Airport. “Allegiant will continue to serve BLI, and passengers will see no change to routes or service.”

The Port of Bellingham acknowledged the change while reinforcing its continued partnership with the airline.

“We’ve been informed of Allegiant’s decision to close its base. While we’re disappointed to see this change, we value the partnership we’ve had and the contributions their team members have made to our airport community. Allegiant will maintain a station at BLI, and our focus will be on supporting passengers and our airline partner.”

The decision reflects broader economic and industry factors affecting airlines nationwide, including fluctuating fuel costs, shifts in passenger demand, and regional cost pressures. These types of adjustments are not uncommon in the aviation industry as carriers continually optimize their networks.

In particular, changes in cross-border travel demand, especially among Canadian passengers, have contributed to a more challenging operating environment for airlines serving the region. 

Rodriguez acknowledged that while the closure is not the desired outcome, the airport remains focused on long-term growth.

“The Port’s focus is on the future. We are actively working to grow air service and ensure BLI remains a strong, resilient airport serving our community.”

The airport will continue working closely with its airline partners, pursuing new air service opportunities, and advancing strategic initiatives that strengthen connectivity and support the regional economy.