Mormons are Cheap and Business KNOWS IT (link)

[_The Mighty Builder]

http://www.azcentral.com/business/artic ... e-run.html

Allegiant Air's announcement of non-stop service starting in September between Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and Ogden, Utah, could be a boon for the southeast Valley as well as Valley skiers and local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Roc Arnett, president of the East Valley Partnership, said the new service "well may be a home run" for the region, especially its Mormon community.

"There are a lot of people in this area who've got connections to Utah and to northern Utah. Many people have family in that area," he said. "I'll bet that the price point will be such that people will be able to travel there for LDS conferences, BYU (Brigham Young University) graduations, University of Utah graduations. There will be all kinds of activities."

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said the announcement underscores a gradual shift in Allegiant's business strategy toward metropolitan connections, such as recently added stops in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Ogden certainly serves not only the part of Utah north of Salt Lake City, it's close enough that it pulls in metro Salt Lake City," he said. "There's no doubt that ... Utah and East Valley family connections, business connections run deep and are long-standing. To get into that market with direct flights, I see as positive."

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