Orlando International Airport will offer four nonstop flights to Tokyo next year, a trial touted as Florida’s first direct passenger connection to Japan and a significant milestone in the airport’s push to add more international destinations.

Zipair will operate the flights between Orlando and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport from Feb. 23 to March 10, airport officials revealed Tuesday.

“Our partnership with Zipair is more than just a new route. It’s history,” said Lance Lyttle, CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates the Orlando International Airport. He added the route will mark the first nonstop flight from Florida to the Asia Pacific region.

So far, service is limited to four chartered, round-trip flights, but airport and tourism officials say they could

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