COLUMBIA, S.C. — Budget travel airline Allegiant Air is expanding service with 44 new nonstop routes in three new cities -- and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is on the service schedule.
Beginning in May 2025, Allegiant will offer nonstop service from CAE to
- Daytona Beach/Sanford, Florida via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), on May 15, 2025, with one-way fares as low as $39
- Fort Lauderdale/Miami via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), on May 22, 2025, with one-way fares as low as $49
"The entire team at CAE is beyond thrilled to have Allegiant begin service at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport to two wonderful Florida destinations," said Vice President of Marketing & Air Service Development, Kim Crafton. "Securing a reputable low-cost carrier with brand recognition like Allegiant is a significant win not only for the airport but the entire Columbia region. We look forward to service starting in May of 2025 and know this partnership will be successful and long-lasting."
In addition to Columbia, expansion adds service to Gulf Shores, Alabama (GUF), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (COS), increasing the number of cities now having Allegiant network options to 51 across the country. According to Allegiant, this is one of the company's largest service expansions in its history and is "driven by robust leisure demand and the company’s commitment to providing ultra-low-cost airfare to underserved communities with limited or no air service."
Allegiant is not the first budget airline to add service to CAE.
- PEOPLExpress offered service to Newark in 1985
- Air South was based in Columbia from 1994-1997 and offered flights throughout the southeast and Chicago, Baltimore and New York City
- Independence Air offered budget flights to Washington (Dulles) during 2004-2006
- Spirit and Vision airlines served CAE with limited routes to Florida in 2008-2009.
