CLEARWATER — Looking for cheap flights? Domestic airfares at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport average $126.14, the eighth least expensive among U.S. 416 airports during the first quarter of 2019.

Nationally, the average fare was $352.06, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The averages are based on round-trip airfares or one-way flights where no return trip was booked. Domestic airfares at Tampa International Airport averaged $311. 

At St. Pete-Clearwater International, the story of cheap flights is the story of Allegiant, which flies to 54 of the 55 U.S. destinations reachable from the Pinellas airport. Most recently, the airport said Allegiant would begin twice-a-week service in mid-October to Traverse City, Mich., and to State College, Pa., the home of Penn State University.

"We are very pleased to see Allegiant's continued growth at (St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport) with affordable airfares for our local community and for visitors enjoying our beautiful destination," airport director Tom Jewsbury said Monday in announcing the numbers. "We are making several improvements that will be completed in the coming year that will improve customer amenities and our opportunities for continued growth."

That work includes road construction around the airport, terminal renovations, upgrades to parking lots, and a $4.2 million food, beverage and retail renovation that will bring in Mazzaro's Italian Market, 3 Daughters Brewing, Dunkin Donuts and other restaurants and shops.

The cheapest flights of all in the federal survey were to Atlantic City, N.J., at $110.98. The most expensive were to the U.S. territory of Guam at $1,128.59. After flights to Pago Pago in American Samoa and to various points in Alaska, the next most expensive destination in the lower 48 states was Glasgow, Mont., at $911.25.

By Richard Danielson