St. Vincent’s new international airport just get a major boost.

Air Canada has announced the planned launch of the first-ever scheduled flights from North America to St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ new Argyle International Airport.

The new flights will operate from Toronto to St. Vincent weekly on Thursdays on an Airbus A319 operated by Air Canada’s Rouge brand, from Dec. 14 through April 12.

It could prove a major boon for the airport’s hopes of attracting scheduled service from U.S. carriers and for travelers looking to reach the country’s sought-after vacation spots in the Grenadines chain, including private island resorts like Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent and the newly-launched Pink Sands Club on the island of Canouan. (Domestic carrier SVG Air is your best bet).

Air Canada also announced the planned launch of weekly Friday flights from Toronto to Belize City, operating on an Airbus A319, also operated on Rouge.

“”Air Canada is continuing its strategic, global expansion with a diverse range of exciting new nonstop routes this winter,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “The addition of the first long-haul, international scheduled service to St. Vincent in the Caribbean offers new choices for travelers looking to escape Canadian winters.”

St. Vincent debuted its sleek new airport in February, which had until now only received regional scheduled flights and some charter flights.

— Alexander Britell