Three months ago, Allegiant Air took flight, leaving Lincoln for Grand Island.

Since then, the airline has been offering round trip flights from G.I. to Las Vegas twice a week.

A spokesman for Allegiant Air said the airline can't release specifics, but since the move bookings have improved.

In September, Allegiant Air moved because of competition in Eastern Nebraska airports.

Now G.I. airport officials say they're taking some business from Lincoln and Omaha.

The airport is taking in fuel sales from Allegiant, and the ground handling team has added a couple part-time jobs.

Airport officials say they expect by next year they'll be over the 10,000 enplanement mark, which will make them eligible for a $1 million federal grant.

The previously elusive full terminal is now common at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport.

"Since they've started we've been averaging 90 percent load factor," said Michael Olson, CNRA executive director.

And many Allegiant Air flights to Las Vegas have been full--full of fliers like Robin Backus, who hasn't flown out of Grand Island since she was a child.

"I think it's great. We don't have to drive very far. It's really nice. We'll probably be using it quite a bit," she said.

"The influx of passengers has caused the airport to expand its parking lot to accommodate not only Allegiant customers, but also the charter flights that use the airport.

"We're getting a reverse osmosis if you will. A lot of the people that are flying on Allegiant are coming from Lancaster and Douglas County, which is, you know, the Lincoln and Omaha areas," said Olson.

But airport officials say they'll also have to win back passengers when they again offer daily flights to Kansas City.

"We haven't had daily air service since the end of June so we're going to have to win back those people that are driving to other places to fly out," Olson said.

But low prices may do the trick.

"You get cheap flights coming out on Allegiant Air. That helps, you know, going down there," said Backus.

Airport officials say destinations like Las Vegas are hurting in this poor economy, so airlines and hotels are offering good rates to attract travelers.

Meanwhile, officials hope to have daily service back within a few months, and say, success at the airport could attract more airlines.

"Hopefully at some point in the future--and I can't say when--we'll be able to get off the essential air service and we can have regular mainline or regional jet service to destinations that make sense," said Olson.

When Great Lakes Airlines starts service, the airport will have to win back those passengers who were flying daily out of G.I., but are now flying out of other airports.