On Thursday, Macon-Bibb County announced nonstop passenger air service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) will begin October 16, 2025, thanks to Spirit Airlines.

From Fort Lauderdale, people can connect:

• via flight to dozens of destinations including, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, and more
• via cruise line to top destinations in the Caribbean and beyond;
• via train to Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and more.

Guests traveling between MCN and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) can save on their getaway with special introductory fares starting at just $49.99* one way. The introductory fares are available for booking now on spirit.com, where travelers can browse flight details.

“South Florida has consistently been one of the most popular destinations for travelers in our region, and we’re excited to offer nonstop service to this top destination through Spirit Airlines,” says Airport Director Doug Faour. “This new route reflects our ongoing commitment to providing convenient and affordable travel options for the communities we serve.”

“This is just another major step in providing services through our airport to a wide variety of people and businesses,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “From increasing passenger air service to private pilots and charter flights excited about our new guitar-shaped FBO to our new and expanding industries, our airport is a major economic and tourism engine for Middle Georgia.”

Spirit will be using an Airbus A320 family aircraft which features 176 seats, including 8 Big Front Seats, making it the largest aircraft to provide scheduled passenger service at MCN.

“We look forward to offering travelers in Middle Georgia new nonstop flights and affordable fares to our FLL gateway, expanding their travel options to the Sunshine State and other destinations,” said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. “We’re grateful to Contour for their partnership and collaboration as we work to create exciting new connections between communities across our networks.”

Spirit was recently named Best Airline Overall for 2025 and earned top recognition for safety and affordability for the second consecutive year by WalletHub. Spirit was also recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as a 2025 Four Star Low Cost Carrier. Additionally, the airline’s Fit Fleet® was ranked one of the world’s youngest for 2025 by ch-aviation. Spirit also received the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year.

*One-way fares subject to a 21-day advance purchase, valid for booking on July 17, 2025, through Nov. 19, 2025, and travel from Oct. 16, 2025, through Dec. 17, 2025. Blackout dates: Nov. 20, 2025, through Dec. 2, 2025. Subject to availability.

About the Middle Georgia Regional Airport

The Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) serves as a vital transportation component for central Georgia, offering a blend of convenience and efficiency for travelers, providing commercial air service, general aviation facilities, and support for cargo and military operations.

Contour

In August 2017, Contour Airlines restored flights with daily service to Baltimore using 30-passenger ERJ-135 aircraft, boosting passenger numbers. The average load factor is currently at 73.44%, and since announcing a flight change from BWI to Washington Dulles, VA (IAD) in May, the load factors have increased by 7.3%.

“This route continues to support both leisure and business travel, generating local revenue and promoting tourism. Macon is increasingly seen not only as a point of origin but also as a destination. This continued growth has strengthened the Airport’s position as a regional transportation asset,” says Deputy Director of Aviation, Heather Lowe. “Contour has proven there’s a strong and growing demand for commercial air service in Macon; their success has laid the foundation for exciting new expansions in many areas of the airport.”

General Aviation Terminal

MCN also provides charter flights services through its General Aviation Terminal or Executive Terminal. That includes fueling, hangaring, ground transportation, and more. With the additions of new industries, the coming extension of the runway, and steady passenger service, it was determined a brand new executive terminal was needed as a vital gateway to Macon-Bibb and provide the aviation community with the latest in technology and support services.

The former executive terminal has already been demolished to make way for a new, more modern building inspired by Macon-Bibb’s musical heritage. The new executive terminal will be shaped like a guitar, with angles that look like a piano. It will have a restaurant, conference room, event lawn, and extra space for visitors to hang out in.

Industry

The Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) is home to key industries and community partners in Macon-Bibb County. Robins Air Force Base (RAFB) and Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) collaborate on an aviation training program at MCN. Housed in a former manufacturing facility, the Aerospace Training and Sustainment Center gives CGTC students hands-on experience working alongside the 42nd Commodities Maintenance Group, helping develop a skilled workforce for Georgia’s growing aerospace industry.

Dean Baldwin Painting has operated at MCN since 2019, providing 100 jobs to the local community. Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company, has been a tenant since 2018 and recently renewed its lease for up to 15 years, supporting more than 200 jobs in the region.

Runway Extension

After 40 years of discussion of the need and a decade of behind-the-scenes hard work, the extension of Runway 5 on the southwest corner of MCN is currently undergoing an extension of 600 feet, bringing it from 6,501 feet to 7,101 feet.

“The runway extension is important for a variety of reasons, such for larger aircraft to take off and land at MCN with full payloads,” says Aviation Director Doug Faour. “It has also made us more attractive for commercial airline service to other destinations and increased air-service charter opportunities to other destinations.”