The number of flights between Sarasota and Canada will double this summer, following an announcement by Elite Airways about the expansion of service to and from Halifax, Nova Scotia. “The ability to bring more people here from Canada is good for tourism,” says Rick Piccolo, president of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. “We take our role as an economic generator very seriously, as we do our role of bringing more international visitors.”

Elite Airways announced that starting on July 2, passengers will be able to fly on Thursdays and Sundays from Halifax to Sarasota, with a stop in Portland, Maine. Passengers will not have to deplane in Maine, Piccolo notes. From the Sarasota facility’s point-of-view, this means a doubling of direct flights to Canada from SRQ, on top of existing twice-weekly summer service to Toronto via Air Canada. “Last year was the first year for Air Canada summer service,” Piccolo says, “which shows growth in the Canadian market.” Air Canada provides daily service between Toronto and SRQ during season.

John Pearsall, Elite Airways president, says its been the strength of existing flights between Florida and Maine that allowed for this expansion. “There’s a unique opportunity to extend this service to Halifax, Nova Scotia—as Florida is also a key market to Canada,” Pearsall says. “As a Maine-based business, we are especially proud to expand our Florida-to-Northeast routes to now include Atlantic Canada, and we thank government, city and airport officials for their support.”

Beginning on July 2, passengers can board flights leaving SRQ at 9:30am, arriving in Portland at 12:30pm, then continuing and landing in Halifax at 3:30pm. Flights will depart Halifax again at 4:15pm, arriving in Portland at 4:30pm, then continuing and landing back at SRQ at 8:15pm. Connections from Halifax to SRQ will start at $229, while SRQ-Portland tickets start at $199.

Piccolo says the airport continues to look for ways to expand international travel to other destinations, with a priority of Europe, though no flights have materialized yet. The airport has worked to expand its customs capabilities and can now move 300 passengers per hour through its local customs station.