Fort Lauderdale's Spirit Airlines began daily non- stop service between Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Columbia May 22, 2008.

The new route will be operated by Spirit's new Airbus fleet, the youngest in the Americas.

"In addition to non- stop service to our Fort Lauderdale gateway, this new service will provide the ideal opportunity for travelers to connect to over 20 destinations in the United States, Caribbean, and Latin America," said Mark Kopczak, Spirit's senior director of network planning.

"Spirit is well known for its dependable service at very reasonable fares along with a great system of business and leisure destinations," said Columbia Metropolitan Airport executive director Mike Flack.