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A low-cost airline is offering non-stop flights to Orlando from Columbia.

Allegiant Air Sales Director John Fenyes made the announcement at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Tuesday morning. The airline is offering flights at rock-bottom prices for families pinching pennies and worried about affording a trip to Disney World.

"In the economic times that we live in today, we still offer the affordability for people to travel and still take vacations,” Fenyes said.

Fares will start at $39 each way if booked before the end of the month. After the new year fares will jump to $59 each way.

Right now, people flying from Columbia (CAE) to Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) have to make a connection in Charlotte or Atlanta. Beginning February 25, they can fly non-stop.

"You can get from here to Orlando in about an hour,” Columbia Airport Director Mike Flack said.

Flack says the airport is fortunate to be expanding when most airports are downsizing.

"Where we see a lot of airline communities who are losing airline capacity, who are losing opportunities to travel, here we are gaining,” Flack said.

Passenger travel through Columbia Metro is down more than six percent since last year, but Allegiant Air sees potential for growth.

For more information or to book a flight, visit allegiantair.com. 
For more information on Columbia Metropolitan Airport, visit columbiaairport.com.