KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- Tired of the cold? Want to fly south for the winter?

Start planning your Spring Break desinations because Allegiant Air is giving you another sunny destination you can reach non-stop from Knoxville.

The low fare carrier which already operates direct service to St. Petersburg, Orlando's Sanford Airport, and Fort Lauderdale is adding service to Charlotte County Airport on Florida's Gulf Coast beginning March 6th, 2009.

Charlotte County Airport offers convenient access to the popular destinations of Sarasota, and Fort Myers.

"In less than 45 minutes of leaving the airport, travelers can be dipping their toes in the beach and in less time than that, they can be dropping a line in Charlotte Harbor for challenging fishing or teeing it up out on a golf course," according to Jennifer Huber, the Tourism and Public Relations Manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor's Bureau.

Introductory fares are $69 each way.

Allegiant will offer Monday and Friday flights. The flight will depart Knoxville at 4:30 p.m. arriving in Charlotte County Airport at 6:20 p.m.

Flights leaving Charlotte County Airport will depart at 7 p.m. arriving in Knoxville at 8:50 p.m.

Charlotte County Airport is in Punta Gorda, Florida. That's about an hour's drive from Sarasota, and about 35 minutes from Fort Myers.

"(The airport) is considered a boutique airport," said Huber. "It’s easy to collect luggage and pick up a rental car and almost impossible to get lost in. The competitive airfares make it extremely attractive during this economic climate."

Knoxville is one of only two airports to receive the new service.

“We are extremely pleased to again expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop jet service to the Knoxville community,” Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., president, CEO and Chairman for Allegiant, said. “Knoxville was selected as one of our first airports to receive this new service based on our experience and success within the market."

“In today’s economic climate, Allegiant Air’s decision to select McGhee Tyson Airport as only one of two airports in the country to receive their new service to Southwest Florida is exciting,” said Richard W. Krieg, Chairman of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners. “Our community has rallied behind Allegiant Air’s low fare service and we know they will continue that support with this new service to the Southwest Florida Coast.”

"A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South,” Huber said.