Spirit Airlines to exit Columbia Metropolitan Airport in October

Spirit Airlines will end all service at Columbia Metropolitan Airport on Oct. 4, airport officials announced.

The move will eliminate flights between Columbia and Orlando International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Newark Liberty International airports. Spirit is directing passengers with travel booked after Oct. 4 to contact the airline’s customer care team for assistance.

Airport officials said the decision came as a surprise, noting the routes had strong passenger demand. “All three routes saw consistently high load factors … and the response from our passengers proved this community can successfully sustain a low-cost carrier,” said Kim Crafton, the airport’s vice president of marketing and air service development.

Spirit’s withdrawal is part of a broader restructuring amid bankruptcy proceedings. Airport leaders expressed hope the airline could eventually return to Columbia.

In the meantime, Allegiant Air will continue offering low-cost service from Columbia to Orlando Sanford International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.