For Immediate Release
June 18, 2024
Media Contact: Kim Hunt
Birmingham Airport Authority
khunt@flybirmingham.com
#205-510-6676
Spirit Airlines to Launch New Service at
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Ultra Low-Cost Carrier to Offer Nonstops to Popular Beach Destination
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 18, 2024) – Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) will
soon welcome a new airline to the community, giving travelers another choice and a new
nonstop destination. On October 10
th
, Spirit Airlines will begin daily service to Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
“This is a great day for our community,” said Darlene Wilson, Vice-Chair of the Birmingham
Airport Authority Board. “Spirit Airlines is showing a tremendous amount of confidence in this
market and we are thrilled to have this new option available to travelers,” said Wilson.
Spirit Airlines is an ultra low-cost carrier, with hubs at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport (FLL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Airport (DTW). The October launch in Birmingham will mark the first time Spirit serves the
state of Alabama. In addition to providing low-fare service to south Florida, the flights will also
offer travelers one-stop connections to Latin America and the Caribbean. A strong response
from the community on the initial nonstop to Fort Lauderdale could serve as a launching pad
for additional flights and destinations on Spirit.
“We can’t wait to welcome aboard Birmingham travelers looking for both an affordable and
convenient way to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful beaches,” said John Kirby, Vice President of
Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. “Our new daily service will make flying to Fort Lauderdale
NEWS RELEASE
more accessible and will provide an attractive alternative to driving. It will also make it easier
for our Florida guests to enjoy Birmingham’s southern hospitality.”
The new service comes at a time when traffic at BHM is soaring. Last year, BHM welcomed
more than three million passengers through the airport, an increase of 14% over the previous
year. The trend has continued in 2024 with 10% passenger growth last month. “With traffic
growing rapidly, we think it’s the perfect time to welcome Spirit Airlines to Birmingham,” said
Wilson. “We need travelers to book these flights and show our new partner that there is strong
demand for additional routes.”
BHM is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Alabama. With the addition of Spirit
Airlines, the community is served by five carriers offering nonstop service to twenty-one airport
destinations in eighteen cities across the U.S.
The nonstop flights from BHM to FLL will be available for booking today at
https://www.spirit.com/.
About Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
As Alabama’s largest commercial airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has
served as a gateway to the sky for 92 years. Governed by the Birmingham Airport Authority, the
airport continues to be a catalyst for growth and economic development for the entire region. For
more information, visit flybhm.com or follow BHM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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