By the Caribbean Journal staff

The food. The shopping. The sheer natural beauty.

And, oh yeah, Grace Bay Beach.

There are so many great reasons to visit Turks and Caicos, and now it’s getting even easier to get there.

American Airlines is launching a new nonstop route to Turks and Caicos, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The world’s largest airline is planning to debut a new nonstop route between Chicago O’Hare and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos beginning in December.

Grace Bay is one of the Caribbean’s top beaches.

The new route, which will operate during the winter season, will officially launch on Dec. 22.

American will be operating the flights weekly on Saturdays, according to a statement.

The new Gansevoort villas in Turks and Caicos.

It’s another airlift boost for Turks and Caicos, which has been seeing more and more flight launches in the last several years, including new nonstop frequencies from both Southwest Airlines and JetBlue, among others.

Both of those routes launched out of Fort Lauderdale, which is fast becoming a Caribbean hub of its own.

One of the pools at The Shore Club.

The growth in flight traffic has come as the island continues to see more hotels and real estate developments, from the spectacular Shore Club in Turks and Caicos to the new Gansevoort Villas.

And that’s along with the island’s mainstay properties like the wonderful The Sands at Grace Bay and the ultra-luxe Palms.

— CJ