SANFORD, Fla. — For the second time in a month, Orlando Sanford International Airport announced the addition of another low-cost airline carrier to the airport. The airport’s CEO believes a recent major renovation is beginning to pay off for the airport, carriers and travelers.

What You Need To Know

  • Flair to begin offering low-cost flights to Canada from Orlando Sanford International Airport

  • Airport announced in June that Swoop would offer low-cost flights to Canada

  • Swoop and Flair's flights are scheduled to begin in October

The airport has marketed itself as an easier and cheaper option to the much larger Orlando International Airport. Recently, the airport, which brands itself “Safer, Faster, Better” to play off of its SFB airport code, has only had two full-time carriers — Allegiant, and TUI, an international airline that is still not flying to Sanford due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In June the airport announced Swoop Airlines would begin offering flights through the airport. And now it has announced Flair Airlines will begin flights to and from Canada this fall. Both are low-cost Canadian air carriers.

With Canada now beginning to ease COVID travel restrictions, Orlando Sanford’s President and CEO Tom Nolan believes demand will rise.

“We believe that Canada has an enormous pent-up demand — it’s going to be a tidal wave of people coming from Canada to beautiful Central Florida,” he said.

And he believes the airports recently completed $65 million renovation is attracting more potential airline carriers.

“Those improvements help us expand more and allow more capacity,” Nolan said.

“So we’re more efficient, we have more capacity and we’re going to continue to grow into the future," he added. "Airlines are looking for lower cost airports — that’s exactly what we offer.”

Angela Parker flew into Central Florida from Iowa for fun.

“My sister’s getting married later this year — I’m in town for a bachelorette party,” she said.

She chose Orlando Sanford because she says it was affordable and easier.

“I ended up flying into Sanford because the flight was cheaper,” Parker said. “Much easier to navigate this airport, and much easier just to get your baggage and if you’re getting a rideshare.”

Swoop and Flair are both expected to begin offering flights out of Orlando Sanford International Airport in October.