Allegiant Airlines Grounds All Flights Indefinitely Following Fatal Runway Collision

Certainly. Here’s a 1000-word fictional article based on the headline “Allegiant Airlines Grounds All Flights Indefinitely Following Fatal Runway Collision.” Please note: this is a hypothetical scenario and not based on real events.

—

Allegiant Airlines Grounds All Flights Indefinitely Following Fatal Runway Collision

April 30, 2025 — Metairie, Louisiana

Allegiant Airlines has grounded its entire fleet indefinitely after a fatal runway collision at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) claimed the lives of 112 people. The decision was announced late Tuesday night following the tragic incident that has already been deemed one of the worst aviation disasters in recent U.S. history.

Incident Details

The accident occurred at approximately 6:18 PM local time when Allegiant Air Flight 245, arriving from Las Vegas, was attempting to land on Runway 11. According to early reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a maintenance vehicle crossed into the active runway just moments before the plane touched down.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft struck the vehicle at high speed during its descent, causing its landing gear to collapse. The aircraft skidded off the runway, crashing into an auxiliary airport structure before bursting into flames.

Eyewitnesses reported a scene of horror. “I saw the landing gear collapse right as it hit something. Then the whole side of the plane scraped the tarmac and exploded,” said Thomas Hall, a contractor working nearby. “People were screaming and running everywhere.”

The New Orleans Fire Department confirmed that 112 people aboard the aircraft died, including passengers, crew members, and the two individuals in the ground vehicle. At least 17 more were transported to area hospitals, several in critical condition.

Immediate Response

Within minutes of the incident, first responders, including fire crews, paramedics, and airport security, rushed to the scene. Emergency response units worked under hazardous conditions as the wreckage burned through the early evening hours.

Allegiant Airlines issued a public statement at 9:40 PM Eastern Time, confirming the suspension of all flight operations nationwide “out of respect for the victims and to allow a full safety review of all procedures and systems in cooperation with the FAA and NTSB.”

“We are devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” said Gregory C. Anderson, CEO of Allegiant Airlines, who appeared briefly before the press in Las Vegas. “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone affected. We are working with local authorities and federal investigators to determine exactly what happened.”

Grounding of Operations