AirTran Airways is scheduled to inaugurate new nonstop service to Huntsville from Baltimore and Orlando today with a water cannon salute at Gate 5 of Huntsville International Airport.

The first AirTran Airways flight to land in Huntsville is set for 11:20 a.m. from the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, following a 10:45 news conference.

A newly formed group of Limestone, Decatur and Huntsville chambers of commerce worked together to help bring the low-cost air carrier to Huntsville.

AirTran will acknowledge their new service today with a donation to the American Red Cross North Alabama/Tennessee Valley Region. John Kirby, senior director of strategic planning for AirTran, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and other local dignitaries are scheduled to make remarks during the ceremony.

Also in attendance will be Alabama native and former Auburn star Cadillac Williams, currently a running back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The second step of today’s realized goal is to make it profitable for AirTran to add an Atlanta route to its schedule. The Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce held public meetings in March to get input on the Atlanta addition.

Officials say nearly 500,000 people a year drive from Limestone, Morgan or Madison counties to airports in Nashville or Birmingham to take advantage of lower rates.

This is a sample of AirTran airfares:

• Baltimore/Washington: $99, lowest leisure; $199, lowest walk-up; $279, lowest business class;

• Orlando: $89, lowest leisure; $179, lowest walk-up; $249, lowest business class.