Allegiant Air's planes are FOUR TIMES more likely to break down compared to those from other US airlines

  • Allegiant Air's planes are four times as likely to break down in flight as those operated by other major U.S. airlines
  • Its jets were forced to make unexpected landings at least 77 times in 2015 for serious mechanical failures
  • None of the incidents prompted enforcement action from the Federal Aviation Administration
  • The agency doesn't compare airline breakdown records to look for warning signs 
  • Allegiant acknowledged that its planes break down too often and said the company is changing the way it operates

By Associated Press and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: | Updated:

Allegiant Air's planes are four times as likely to break down in flight as those operated by other major U.S. airlines, an investigation has found.

Their jets were forced to make unexpected landings at least 77 times in 2015 for serious mechanical failures, a report from the Tampa Bay Times said. 

None of the incidents prompted enforcement action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which doesn't compare airline breakdown records to look for warning signs.

This Allegiant Air plane had to make an emergency landing in June 2015, Dailymail.com reported at the time 

This Allegiant Air plane had to make an emergency landing in June 2015, Dailymail.com reported at the time 

Allegiant's website says: 'Allegiant is more than an airline, it's an innovative travel company dedicated to providing the best travel deals to its customers. 

'Linking small U.S. cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Florida, Las Vegas, Phoenix, California, Hawaii, and Myrtle Beach.'

The airline flies to a number of US states, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Times reporters built a database of more than 65,000 records from the FAA.

The investigation revealed that 42 of the company's 86 planes broke down mid-flight at least once last year. 

Allegiant CEO Maurice Gallagher Jr (pictured) has said: 'We're very much focused on running a better operation'

Allegiant CEO Maurice Gallagher Jr (pictured) has said: 'We're very much focused on running a better operation'

It also said Allegiant mends failing systems on the planes, places the planes in service once more, then the systems later go on to fail again.

The investigation found that the company's planes are 22 years old on average -- though for other airlines, the average age of planes is ten years less.

According to the Times, between January 2015 and September 2016, engines forced unexpected landings 39 times, and tail compartments forced unexpected landings 26 times.

The report said during that time period, cabin pressure forced unexpected landings nine times, nose landing gear forced unexpected landings seven times, and cockpit instruments forced unexpected landings six times. 

During interviews at the company's Las Vegas headquarters, Allegiant acknowledged that its planes break down too often and said the company is changing the way it operates, the newspaper reported.

Allegiant CEO Maurice Gallagher Jr told the outlet: 'I can't sit here and say that you're wrong.  We're very much focused on running a better operation.'

There were 58 mechanical failures for January to June 2015, compared to 33 for January - June 2016, the report said. 

A plane is seen after it made an emergency landing in this 2007 file photograph 

A plane is seen after it made an emergency landing in this 2007 file photograph 

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