Spirit Airlines to Commence Flight Operations in Birmingham this Autumn
In a boost to the travel industry, Spirit Airlines is eyeing this autumn to initiate passenger flight services from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The Low-cost carrier plans to offer daily non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale starting Oct. 10.
New Opportunities for Travelers
Vice-Chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority Board, Darlene Wilson, welcomed the airline’s announcement, stating: “Spirit Airlines is showing a tremendous amount of confidence in this market and we are thrilled to have this new option available to travelers. The carrier’s foray into Birmingham will be the first time Spirit Airlines will serve the state of Alabama.
A Gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America
In addition to offering low-fare service to Florida, the new flight service will open up convenient one-stop connections to Latin America and the Caribbean for Birmingham travelers. Ronald Mathieu, the President and CEO of the Birmingham Airport Authority, revealed that this development has been years in progress. Fort Lauderdale was the preferred choice given that it is the top destination for Birmingham travelers who lacked direct flights.
Cruise Traffic and Vacationers
Mathieu believes that a significant factor for this preference is the abundant cruise traffic. Vacationers, until now, had to bear an added cost of reaching their cruise destinations. He added, “This has been five years in the making and we’re excited about it because the community has consistently said that they’d like to see some lower fares, they’d like to see us have a low-cost carrier. Well, guess what? We have one!
Promising Future Prospects
Positive reactions from the community to the initial nonstop flight service to Fort Lauderdale could potentially lead to additional flights and destinations from Spirit. John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines said, “We can’t wait to welcome aboard Birmingham travelers looking for both an affordable and convenient way to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful beaches. It will also make it easier for our Florida guests to enjoy Birmingham’s southern hospitality.
The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is Alabama’s largest and busiest airport. The nonstop flights from BHM to FLL are currently open for booking.
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Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
