For the first time in the island’s history, United Airlines will fly a second weekly nonstop flight from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to St. Kitts, complementing the carrier’s existing Saturday service.

“The addition of a mid-week flight by United Airlines marks yet another historic first for St. Kitts this year,” said Lindsay F.P. Grant, St. Kitts and Nevis’ minister of tourism, international trade, industry and commerce, in a statement.

“I could not be more pleased to welcome this additional service, which increases the available options for visitors and Diaspora to get to island during peak travel season from the New York metropolitan area, which is our primary source market for arrivals,” he added.

For the period from Jan. 9 through March 6, 2019, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) said United will operate a total of nine scheduled round-trip, non-stop Wednesday flights between Newark and St. Kitts.

“We are thrilled that United has decided to provide a second weekly non-stop flight to St. Kitts,” said Racquel Brown, SKTA chief executive officer. “Having a Wednesday flight gives travelers more flexibility in their vacation planning and provides increased capacity during the period when demand is highest.

“This is a testament to the success of our work to grow North American airlift from key gateways in order to accommodate new hotel developments and existing hotel product upgrades,” she added.

SKTA said United first began serving St. Kitts in December 2015 and continues to operate non-stop Saturday flights from Newark.

“With the addition of these nine Wednesday flights, there is a greater potential for an increase in air passenger arrivals into St. Kitts,” it said.