Spirit Airlines will stop operating out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) starting in October of this year, even though the low-cost airline’s service at CAE began recently.

In June 2025, Spirit launched nonstop flights from Columbia to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Newark. At the end of August, however, the airline announced it was filing for bankruptcy, according to reporting from the Associated Press.

“Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has learned that Spirit Airlines will be exiting the market [effective] Saturday, October 4,” according to a statement from CAE Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development Kim Crafton. “This includes all routes currently operating at CAE - Orlando International Airport (MCO), Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Spirit is directing all passengers with scheduled service after this date to contact Spirit Airlines Guest Care via the ‘Contact Us’ section on Spirit.com.”

CAE, however, will soon have another option for Newark-bound passengers through United Airlines.

Starting Jan. 7, 2026, United will offer nonstop flights from Columbia to Newark Liberty International Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

“We are excited for the addition of this new nonstop service and appreciate the longstanding partnership we have with United Airlines,” Crafton said in a statement. “Having additional service to the New York area provides our community and valued passengers with even more opportunities for convenient air travel for leisure and business travel, economic development and tourism.”

The flights are expected to use a regional jet with 50 seats.

Crafton said Spirit’s decision to leave CAE came as a surprise, since its routes at the airport were seeing strong passenger demand.

“Additionally, the response from our passengers to this service proved this community can successfully sustain a low cost carrier. It is unfortunate that Spirit finds itself in this position, and we hope they are able to reorganize in the bankruptcy process,” she said. “Should Spirit be able to regain its footing in the airline industry, we’ll be excited for the potential opportunity to welcome them back to CAE.”

Crafton also noted that Columbia’s Florida-bound travelers can still fly Allegiant, which offers flights to Orlando Sanford International Airport and Hollywood International Airport on Thursdays and Sundays.

Columbia is not the only city impacted by Spirit’s bankruptcy.

CBS News reported that the budget airline is also exiting Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Diego, California; and San Jose, California.

Spirit is also canceling plans to begin service in Macon, Georgia, which had been scheduled to launch Oct. 16.

CAE is located on Airport Boulevard in the West Columbia area of Lexington County.