NEW: American, Allegiant and Southwest Reinstate Nonstop Routes to RI

NEW: American, Allegiant and Southwest Reinstate Nonstop Routes to RI

On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) announced the resumption of direct service to Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati, OH provided by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Allegiant Airlines. 

Direct service to Reagan National Airport (DCA) was suspended by Southwest Airlines and American Airlines in early May as a result of lowered service demand caused by the coronavirus. 

"Airline stocks were among the big winners on Wednesday morning, with gains that easily topped the broader markets' moves higher. Even though the coronavirus-related challenges that airlines face are particularly difficult, investors like the signs they're seeing that suggest travelers want to get back in the air," reports The Motley Fool. SEE MORE BELOW.

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Allegiant Airlines' resumption of seasonal service to Cincinnati is returning as planned, having been suspended for the season in September of 2019. T.F. Green Airport is currently the only commercial airport in New England providing direct service to Cincinnati.

- Starting June 4, 2020, American Airlines will resume providing once a day direct service between T.F. Green Airport (PVD) and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. (DCA) with one-way airfare starting as low as $129 each way and round trips at $176.

- Starting June 5, 2020, Allegiant Airlines will resume twice a week seasonal service to Cincinnati, OH (CVG) on Mondays and Fridays with airfare starting as low as $30 each way. 

- Starting June 7, 2020, Southwest Airlines will resume providing twice a day direct service between PVD and DCA with airfare starting at $49 each way.

“We’re pleased to see what we expect to be a slow but steady return of service to and from Rhode Island, providing additional options for travel and connecting service to numerous destinations,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, “It will be many years before we see a return to 2019 passenger levels, but we appreciate the continued efforts of our airline partners to provide safe travel options, as well as the positive attitude of passengers who are taking their own steps to keep themselves and their fellow travelers safe and healthy.”

The Motley Fool reports:

Gains in the airline sector Wednesday morning were broad. Among the top four U.S. carriers, United Airlines Holdings (NYSE:UAL) led the way with gains of 7.5%. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) followed with upward moves of between 5% and 6%, while Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) weighed in with a better than 4% rise.

Some of the smaller carriers did even better. Allegiant Travel (NASDAQ:ALGT) and Mesa Air Group (NASDAQ:MESA) were up 11% on the day. No-frills player Spirit Airlines (NYSE:SAVE) and regional powerhouse JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) managed to gain almost 10%, and Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) was just behind with a 9% boost. SkyWest (NASDAQ:SKYW) and Hawaiian Holdings (NASDAQ:HA) posted gains of 8% and 7%, respectively.