With visitors arriving at a record pace from the US, showing a year-to-date increase of nine percent over 2014, Saint Lucia will welcome additional winter season flights as United Airlines launches inaugural non-stop service from Chicago.

Commencing Dec. 19, the weekly service departs Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) for Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) every Saturday through to April 9, 2016.

“The expanded partnership with United signifies the first non-stop regularly scheduled service between the two destinations, making Saint Lucia even more accessible for travelers," said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. "The new flights connect major gateways in the Midwestern United States and provide added convenience for connections with a number of new markets."

Director of Leisure Sales for United Airlines, Vic Kerckhoff  said: "We are delighted to be announcing new service to Saint Lucia from Chicago and an additional flight from Newark. Our increased seasonal services will give travelers more flexibility and more choices when flying to the island."

Operated using Boeing 737 aircrafts with seating capacity ranging from 118 to 179, flights will depart O'Hare International Airport on Saturdays at 8:20 a.m. and  arrive at Hewanorra at 3:50 p.m. Return flights on Saturdays will depart Saint Lucia at 3:48 p.m. and are scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 8:03 p.m.

United Airlines will also launch an additional flight service from New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) departing Sundays at 9 a.m. and arriving at UVF at 2:45 p.m. The new service will commence on Sunday,

Dec. 20 and end on May 1, 2016.

The initial United flight from Newark to Saint Lucia began on July 13, 2013.

Flights are on sale from Saturday, July 11, and tickets can be booked through United Airlines.