Allegiant Air returns flight due to engine alert; passengers compensated

An Allegiant Air Airbus A319 was compelled to return to Las Vegas after an engine indicator light activated shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on January 2nd, when the aircraft was en route to Rapid City Regional Airport from Harry Reid International Airport. Pilots aborted the climb at approximately FL200 and shut down the affected engine as a precaution.

The plane landed safely back at Las Vegas' Runway 26L about 35 minutes post-departure, with no injuries reported. Emergency services inspected the aircraft, noting that the engine "appeared normal," before it taxied to the apron.

Allegiant confirmed this event in a statement shared with Simple Flying: "On Jan. 2, 2025, Flight 65 departed from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) at 5:45 p.m. local time bound for Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). Shortly after takeoff, an engine indicator light came on in the flight deck. Out of an abundance of caution, the captain initiated a precautionary engine shutdown and decided to return to LAS. An emergency was declared, which is standard procedure to ensure that a flight receives priority handling when it lands. Flight 65 landed normally, taxied to the gate under its own power and passengers deplaned."