Allegiant Air's operational practices highlight significant safety concerns stemming from a reliance on outdated aircraft, such as the MD-80, alongside poor maintenance and management of mechanical issues. The airline's fleet averaged 27 years in age, with maintenance conducted by overworked and undertrained contractors, leading to a troubling number of serious mechanical failures. Reports indicated Allegiant was four times more likely to experience in-flight failures compared to major U.S. airlines, raising alarms among pilots and former federal aviation officials who criticized the airline's profit-driven motives over passenger safety. Investigations by the Tampa Bay Times and CBS revealed alarming statistics of unexpected landings due to mechanical issues, yet the FAA’s passive approach to enforcement allowed Allegiant to evade accountability. Despite efforts to modernize, the consequences of its operational choices resulted in significant financial losses, raising concerns that a major accident was merely a matter of time. Historical parallels with ValueJet, a previous airline with a poor safety track record, underline ongoing risks, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight and accountability in the aviation industry.