Punta Gorda Airport is about to get busier.

And it couldn’t happen at a better time.

Allegiant Air is adding three new routes in and out of Charlotte County, a move that is expected to boost the local economy.

Starting Nov. 18, Allegiant will fly passengers to and from Grand Rapids, Mich.; Greensboro, N.C.; and Lexington, Ky. Plans are for one flight in and out of each of these cities every Sunday and Thursday These are in addition to flights that have been bringing passengers from Knoxville, Tenn., and Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.

“Airlines look at their market data and consider where there is the greatest need to serve travelers,” said Gary Quill, executive director of the Punta Gorda Airport Authority. “We’re very pleased that Allegiant decided there’s a need to be filled here.”

The Punta Gorda Airport Authority estimates the new routes will bring an additional 30,000 passengers into the area each year. That could mean added revenue of $100,000 for the airport, according to preliminary estimates.

DirectAir, the other airline that operates out of Punta Gorda, has announced additional flights — going from about 16 flights in and out of Charlotte County to about 22 or 23 each week, according to Quill. Currently, DirectAir carries travelers between here and Plattsburgh, N.Y. (one hour south of Montreal); Worcester, Mass. (just west of Boston); Niagara Falls, N.Y. (serving Buffalo and Toronto); Kalamazoo, Mich.; Rockford, Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Toledo, Ohio; Allentown, Pa.; Melbourne, Fla.; and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In the promotional literature that accompanied Allegiant’s announcements, the airline describes the Southwest Florida coast as a destination that’s perfect for a “personal, romantic or family getaway … in the warm, pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico … between the white-sand beaches of Fort Myers’ shore and Sarasota’s tropical island communities.”

The literature mentions the beauty of Charlotte Harbor as well, noting that it has been recognized by Sail Magazine as one of the “10 greatest places to sail in the United States;” by Golf Digest as the “third best place to live and play golf in America;” and by Money Magazine as one of the “best places to live in the South.”

This year, through August, DirectAir had ferried 83,519 travelers to the area. Allegiant Air had brought 37,134. The addition of 30,000 more passengers will bring added revenues to the hotels they’ll stay in, the restaurants they’ll dine in, and the entertainment and adventure companies they’ll frequent while they’re here. And for those who then decide to make Southwest Florida their home — for all or part of the year — the businesses that cater to the home building, refurbishing and decorating markets could reap added revenues as well.

“We’re delighted that Allegiant has added routes between Punta Gorda and areas that were not being served,” said John Wright, president of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. “We hope this is the start of many other opportunities to bring travelers to our community.”