Airline to begin flights between Reno, Portland

RENO - A small airline based in Fresno, Calif., will begin daily flights between Reno and Portland, Ore., helping to offset cuts in service when American Airlines pulls out of that route next month.

Allegiant Air said it will begin daily flights between Reno and Portland on July 7, five days after American terminates its service between the two cities.

Allegiant officials said the company also plans to initiate a daily flight between Reno and Fresno and hopes to eventually expand service to Seattle and either Las Vegas, Long Beach, Calif., or San Diego.

''I wouldn't say we're a low-fare carrier but we're competitive,'' Allegiant Air President Jim Patterson said.