MACON, Ga. (AP) — Four airlines are vying for the chance to provide passenger flights from Macon's airport to Atlanta and possibly other cities, including Nashville.

The Telegraph reports (http://bit.ly/YOmqWV) that the four airlines have submitted bids to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which subsidizes Macon flights under the federal Essential Air Service program.

SeaPort Airlines of Portland, Ore., proposes round-trip flights routed through Athens' Ben Epps Airport from Macon to Charlotte, N.C., and Nashville.

Authorities say the lowest bid came from Minneapolis-based Sovereign Air Inc., which proposes round-trip flights from Macon to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

American Aviation Group Inc. of Sacramento, Calif., would fly to Atlanta; Kissimmee, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Washington, D.C., and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways hopes to operate flights from Macon to Atlanta and Orlando, Fla.