A new airline will begin providing passenger flights from Macon to Atlanta later this year.

Sun Air International plans to begin service from Macon to Atlanta on Dec. 1, according to Doug Faour, manager of Macon Downtown Airport and Middle Georgia Regional Airport. He said GeorgiaSkies will continue the route until Sun Air International begins service.

He discussed the timeline during a Tuesday meeting of Macon's public properties committee.

Sun Air International is the winning bidder to provide subsidized flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport under a two-year contract. The company will get nearly $1.95 million per year through the federal Essential Air Service program. That program funds passenger flights from smaller cities to major hubs.

Tags: Macon Airport, Georgia Skies Airline, flights, essential air service, Macon-Atlanta flights, Sun Air International