It was wheels up Sunday morning for WestJet’s inaugural flight from Regina to Halifax.

WestJet flight 642 non-stop to Halifax from Regina International Airport took off at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday. The Regina Airport Authority says the new flight is part of its ongoing commitment to expanding air travel options for southern Saskatchewan.

According to the authority, customers have been asking for more direct flights within Canada. Now there will be an option for them to fly to the Maritimes every Sunday for the duration of the summer.

“This is exciting because it’s the first connection from Regina to Atlantic Canada,” explained Kyla Antonini, the Regina Airport Authority’s manager of customer experience and marketing.

“Our community has been asking for domestic connections across Canada and WestJet answered.”

Representatives from WestJet and Regina Airport Authority said in a statement that the Regina to Halifax flight is about getting people where they want to go, whether it’s reuniting with loved ones in the prairies, exploring new sights in the Maritimes or seamlessly connecting to Europe.

“Halifax is actually a growing hub for European connections for WestJet. So, they’re adding more and more European destinations non-stop from there. So, it’s great for us to have another connection,” Antonini added.

The new route is expected to positively impact local connectivity, support economic development, and provide travellers with greater access to destinations across Canada.

After speaking with CTV News, Antonini hopped onto the inaugural flight, and said she was excited to be one of the passengers to experience it for the first time.

“I love Halifax, so I’m excited to go and bring my family. It’s just a great place and I’m also excited for Halifax to come here to Regina.

The Regina to Halifax flight is scheduled for every Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Flight time is just over four hours in length.

The Halifax to Regina flight departs the YHZ airport every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and is just under five hours in length.

The direct connections will run until early September.