New international flights coming to PBIA, tourism boost could follow

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - There is a new push to get Canadian tourists to come to South Florida as Air Canada unveils new services at Palm Beach International Airport.

Thousands of people already fly through P.B.I.A. every single year but new plans would bring thousands more from our international neighbor to the north.

"The Canadian dollar is very strong and that's encouraging; more visitation and more investment," said Sophie Gaete with the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Gaete said an increased demand from Canadian tourists comes at the same time as Air Canada prepares to add a new seasonal daily flight from Toronto direct to P.B.I.A.

One new flight may not seem like much to some, but the tourism bureau said transitioning to two daily flights means an additional 17,000 airline seats coming to Palm Beach County between December and April. Tourism officials project the new flight could bring up to $8 million in new spending to the Palm Beaches, an estimate they said is conservative. "The restaurants, attractions, rental cars, gas stations; everything that touches the visitor," said Gaete.

Michael Civin and his family arrived at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday after spending 28 hours on an airplane. It took the Civins two flights to get back home from South Africa. The family said the soon-to-be added flight from Toronto bodes well for future international travel to and from P.B.I.A.

"I don't think it is well known for it's international flights, but it certainly should be," said Civin.

The additional, seasonal Air Canada flight begins running daily from December 15 through April 30. An existing seasonal flight from Toronto will begin in early December.