CAE awarded ground handling contract from new airline partner, Spirit Airlines
May 28, 2025
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has been awarded a service contract for ground handling operations for Spirit Airlines. Service on the carrier will start at CAE next Thursday, June 5, flying to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Friday, June 6 to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). CAE’s Aviation Services Department will oversee all above and below wing operations and logistics – including ground handling, passenger check-in, boarding and customer service.
“By supporting our airline partners with their ground handling needs shows the breath of aviation resources our airport is able to handle and manage,” says Ryan Kreulen, Vice President of Operations. “With the many ground handling operations we’ve completed on various charter flights, I’m excited to see our team take on this welcomed challenge.”
To further support the needs of this operation, Mardelee Parchment was named CAE’s Aviation Services Manager and will serve as the Station Manager for Spirit – supervising all personnel and operations of the weekly, multi-route service Spirit will operate out of CAE.
“Having 19 years of experience in the aviation industry working above and below wing and with six years of experience managing and leading large teams, I feel very prepared, confident and excited to step into this role for the airport,” said Parchment.
Spirit Airlines will be starting service to EWR and FLL on June 5, with service to MCO starting on June 6, 2025. For more information about booking flights please visit www.Spirit.com.
About Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Now providing 26+ daily flights with nonstop service to 12 major airports in 10 cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National). Beginning in May of 2025, Allegiant will offer nonstop service to Orlando/Sanford and Fort Lauderdale and beginning in June, Spirit will offer nonstop service to Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale and Newark. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), a two-time Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1.3 million passengers in 2024, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Allegiant and serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS and served by cargo carrier, FedEx.
