PLATTSBURGH -- Allegiant Air showed increases in passengers and the percentage of seats filled for September 2008 and the third quarter of 2008.

Allegiant had 188,465 passengers systemwide in September 2008, compared to 180,334 in September 2007, a 4.5-percent increase.

Load factor, the percentage of seats filled on each flight, increased to 91.8 percent from 78.1 percent a year ago.

Those increases came despite a decrease in flights from 1,585 in September 2007 to 1,398 in September 2008.

For the third quarter of 2008, 854,833 passengers used the airline, compared to 750,170 a year ago, a 14-percent increase.

Load factor increased to 93.8 percent, compared to 86.2 percent a year ago.

The number of departures for the quarter increased to 6,223 from 6,000 in 2007.

Allegiant Director of Corporate Communications Tyri Squyres said the company was pleased with the numbers, especially because September is traditionally a weak month for the airline industry.

The load-factor numbers are even more important in the face of high fuel prices and a struggling economy, she said.

Although no specific numbers are released for each market, Plattsburgh continues to be a good location, Squyres said.

"Plattsburgh continues to far exceed our expectations. We continue to review it for additional opportunities."

dheath@pressrepublican.com