Above: an Air Canada flight

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Air Canada is launching service to Panama City, Panama, the carrier announced.

The new thrice-weekly service will launch Dec. 17, 2014. Air Canada will become the only Canadian carrier operating between Canada and Panama.

“Air Canada is very pleased to become the only Canadian network carrier offering non-stop flights between Canada and Panama,” said Benjamin Smith, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. “Panama City is growing and vibrant, and is both a business and leisure destination for Canadians, many of whom own vacation properties in the area.”

Air Canada will be operating the service on Airbus A319 planes, timed to provide onward connections from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport.

The flights out of Toronto will operate Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, leaving Toronto at 8:30 AM local time and returning from Panama City at 3:05 PM local time.