(COLUMBIA) Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is chasing new nonstop flights to Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, and Nashville, but none are on the schedule yet. As of August 14, 2025, the airport has no direct flights to those four cities. Airport leaders say they’re still working with airlines to land the routes.
The most recent progress came in June, when Spirit Airlines launched Columbia’s first-ever nonstop service to Newark and Orlando, plus new flights to Fort Lauderdale. Those gains help, but they don’t solve the gap to the four target cities.
New service launched by Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines began flying from CAE on June 5–6, 2025, adding three routes:
- Newark (EWR): 4x weekly, starting June 5, 2025
- Orlando (MCO): 3x weekly, starting June 5, 2025
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 3x weekly, starting June 6, 2025
Introductory fares began at $50 one-way for travel between June 5 and August 12, 2025. Tickets had to be purchased by March 20, 2025, and booked at least 14 days in advance.
Airport leaders credited the rollout to teamwork between CAE and Spirit Airlines. Key figures included:
- Gregg Hornsby, CAE’s interim president and CEO (and CFO)
- Kim Crafton, CAE’s vice president of marketing and air service development
- John Kirby, Spirit’s vice president of network planning
These additions mark the airport’s first-ever nonstop service to Newark and Orlando, plus new service to Fort Lauderdale. Yet Spirit did not announce nonstop service to Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, or Nashville, keeping pressure on CAE to win more point-to-point flights that reduce travel time and missed connections.
Push for direct links to Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, and Nashville
CAE’s leadership has publicly set Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, and Nashville as priority additions. They say they are talking with multiple airlines to add these routes. As of mid‑August, no airline has announced a launch date for nonstop service to any of the four cities.
The airport describes the talks as competitive, noting many U.S. airports are vying for the same planes and crews. That reflects broader 2025 trends, where carriers closely monitor demand and profitability—especially at mid-sized airports like Columbia.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Spirit’s growth strengthens CAE’s pitch for more nonstops, but the four target cities still require at least one connection today. Travelers currently reach those cities by connecting through major hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Chicago, or others, depending on airline and fare.
Current examples highlighting the gap:
- Las Vegas: No nonstop. United offers connecting trips, with roundtrip fares from $289 for fall 2025.
- Denver: No nonstop. One-stop options show one-way fares from $134–$192 on major carriers.
- Nashville: No nonstop. The cheapest one-way fares start around $129, with a connection.
- Boston: No nonstop. Passengers must book a connection; there are no public launch plans.
Airport officials argue that adding these four routes would support local business travel, tourism, and the wider Midlands economy. Specific benefits cited:
- Boston: Links to New England’s education and healthcare hubs.
- Las Vegas: Serves leisure and convention traffic.
- Denver: Connects travelers to the Rocky Mountain region and a major western hub.
- Nashville: Ties into growing music, tech, and healthcare markets.
All four cities frequently appear on wish lists from local companies, universities, and families who currently must connect through other hubs.
Industry watchers note new routes often follow proof of steady local demand. Spirit’s early results could become a case study CAE uses with other carriers. If planes fill and on‑time performance holds, that data may help Columbia secure additional service. Analysts also caution that aircraft and crew availability remain tight, which can delay announcements even when demand looks promising.
What travelers can do now
Until a carrier adds nonstop service, Columbia-area flyers should plan on one-stop trips for Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, and Nashville. Major airlines at CAE include American, Delta, United, and Spirit Airlines. Many itineraries connect through Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas–Fort Worth, Chicago, or Washington.
Practical tips:
- Check airline websites directly, then compare with search tools like Travelocity and Skyscanner.
- Sign up for CAE email alerts and follow their social feeds to get route updates quickly.
- Use flexible dates to find cheaper connecting options.
- If convenient, consider nearby airports for specific fares—but factor in drive time and parking costs.
For official federal information on U.S. air travel rights and rules, see the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. That resource explains refunds, delays, cancellations, and other basics important when booking connecting flights.
CAE urges the public to watch for announcements because airlines can add routes with little notice. The airport’s website, https://flycae.com, provides updates, and travelers can call the main line at (803) 822-5000. For scheduling and fare details on the three new routes, visit Spirit at https://www.spirit.com.
Outlook and timeline
Airport leaders say the chase for Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, and Nashville will continue and point to the June launch as evidence carriers will test Columbia when the numbers make sense. Industry trends suggest more wins may take time, but they’re possible if seats keep filling and regional travel demand remains strong.
Some experts estimate a 12–24 month window for potential route additions if airlines free up aircraft and crews, though no firm timeline has been given.
Key takeaway: No direct (nonstop) flights to Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, or Nashville are available from CAE as of August 14, 2025. Travelers can reach those cities with a single connection on familiar carriers. Spirit’s Newark, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale flights give the airport fresh momentum, but the four target cities remain on the wish list. CAE’s outreach continues, and the community is watching for the first announcement that turns one of those targets into a bookable nonstop.
This Article in a Nutshell
Columbia Metropolitan Airport gained Spirit nonstop service to Newark, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in June 2025. As of August 14, 2025, CAE still lacks nonstop flights to Boston, Las Vegas, Denver and Nashville. Airport leaders pursue those four routes amid tight aircraft and crew availability and competitive airline planning.
