This week the Airbus Final Assembly Line delivered its 69th jet, which became the first U.S.-built A320 in Allegiant Air's fleet.

Based in Las Vegas, Allegiant is a low-fare carrier whose routes connect cities all over the country, including New Orleans, Jacksonville, Savannah, San Diego, Orlando, New York, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Austin. The company described its newest jet as "the 11th of 13 new A320 aircraft scheduled for purchase directly from Airbus, to be inducted into Allegiant's fleet this year."

Previously, Allegiant's new jets had been built in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany. Allegiant has 99 Airbus jets in service or on order and plans to be flying an all-Airbus fleet by the end of the year.

"Today's delivery is an exciting milestone for Allegiant and our ongoing commitment to providing access to affordable, safe and reliable air travel for many people who wouldn't otherwise be able to fly," said Maury Gallagher, CEO and chairman of Allegiant. "This delivery is also an important step in our transition to an all-Airbus fleet, increasing efficiencies across our entire operation, and bringing economic advantages in fuel savings, higher seat capacity and more."

Bob Lekites, Executive Vice President of Customers for Airbus Americas, said the relationship between the two companies "has allowed Allegiant to expand their ultra-low cost consumer flight options. We are proud to deliver Allegiant their first Airbus aircraft manufactured in Mobile, and we look forward to providing them more aircraft that exceed customer expectations."

Earlier this year, Allegiant was the subject of a critical report by "60 Minutes," charging that it had a record of excessive mechanical failures that raised safety concerns. Allegiant challenged the report, saying that it was based on outdated information about a fleet that was rapidly shifting from older McDonnell-Douglas jets to new Airbus A320s.