Granite State Times

Gov. Chris Sununu (R) was among those on-hand last week to welcome Spirit Airlines' announcement that it will add four nonstop routes between New Hampshire and Florida this fall.

"Welcome to Manchester, Spirit Airlines!" Sununu said in a Twitter post on June 16, the same day of a media event at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) announcing the new routes. "Today's announcement is a huge point of pride as the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport welcomes a new airline for the first time since 2004, making New Hampshire more accessible to visitors than ever before. Another big opportunity for the 603!"

Gov. Chris Sununu | Governor.nh.gov

The new routes will mark the first time Spirit will fly in and out of New Hampshire and will add the low-cost carrier option to the state, said a Spirit press release issued ahead of the media event.

"The residents of New Hampshire have been patiently waiting for a new airline, and we're excited to announce that Spirit Airlines is coming to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport," Sununu said, according to Spirit's press release. "Now's our time to take advantage of these new routes and low fares and keep New Hampshire dollars in New Hampshire. We look forward to a successful launch and seeing Spirit grow their options from MHT in the future. So, shop local — and fly local from MHT!"

Flights out of MHT to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 7, and flights to Fort Myers and Tampa are expected to be added in November.

Spirit plans to add 16 new fuel-efficient Airbus planes to its fleet this year.

Spirit Airlines is based in Miramar, Florida, part of greater metro Miami, and it flies throughout the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America. Spirit is one of only three U.S. airlines listed on Fortune's 2021 list of World's Most Admired Companies, and WalletHub recently named Spirit the "Most Affordable Airline" in its list of 2021 Best Airlines awards, which ranked Spirit third out of 11 in the overall rankings.

"We can't wait to welcome guests from around Manchester onboard and show them why Spirit is the best value in the sky," Spirit Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Matt Klein said, according to Spirit's press release. "We looked closely at what New Hampshire travelers want, and we saw a great opportunity to give them easy access to some great vacation destinations. We look forward to partnering with the community to kick off service, strengthening our local ties and adding more flights in the years to come."

MHT Airport Director Ted Kitchens and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig also were among those who attended last week's media event.

"We are thrilled to welcome Spirit Airlines to Manchester this fall," Craig told Spirit Airlines. "As a leading low-cost carrier, Spirit's investment in our community will open new destinations for Granite Staters and allow more travelers to experience all Manchester and New Hampshire has to offer."