Provincial Airlines will launch a new service to Ottawa today.

The first flight is scheduled to leave the nation’s capital this morning and arrive at St. John’s International Airport around 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.

The flight, which will be offered six times a week, will then depart for Ottawa at 4:50 p.m.

The service was first announced last fall as an extension to its new Moncton/Fredericton route. At the time the airline said it would be extended to Ottawa as restrictions on travel were relaxed.

Representatives of PAL and the airport authority will be on hand to celebrate the launch of the new service this afternoon. VOCM News will be there.