Delta Air Lines plane from New York lands in Dubrovnik

A Delta Air Lines plane with 226 passengers, flying directly from New York, landed at Dubrovnik Airport on Saturday.

The director of the airport, Frano Luetić, said Delta Air Lines was a successor of Pan American, which flew directly to Dubrovnik until 1991.

"We restored the connection in 2019 with a direct American Airlines flight to Philadelphia, and  today two companies, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, connect us eight times a week. That means a lot to us because the British market still hasn't opened up, so the American market could pull us through. We expect a big increase from 2020," he said.

Luetić expects Dubrovnik to be connected with over 50 destinations by August.

An inaugural United Airlines plane, flying directly from New York, landed in Dubrovnik yesterday, the first direct flight from New York since 1991.

Delta Air Lines regional sales manager Thomas Brandt said there was a lot of interest among Americans in visiting Croatia and Dubrovnik, as confirmed by yesterday's and today's flights.

I spent three days in Dubrovnik and totally understand why the interest is such. The first flight was sold out and even the return flight is booked very well. Interest is big in both directions. We are looking forward to contributing to the Croatian economy, he said.

Tourism Ministry state secretary Sandra Herman said the direct flights from New York were not significant only for Dubrovnik but all of Croatia.

"They announced that they would get to know other parts of Croatia as well because they know no borders in a small destination. That was evident at the recent conference of American travel agents in Dubrovnik. American tourists have recognised that we were the first to open our borders to them." she said.

Mayor urges citizens to get vaccinated against COVID

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković said the fact that 47% of Dubrovnik's population was vaccinated against COVID was not enough and called on the government to do its utmost to introduce the biggest restrictions possible against those who could but refused to be vaccinated.

"If we want the season in September and October as well, we must get vaccinated... As much as 80% of us live solely from tourism."

Delta Air Lines will connect New York and Dubrovnik in cooperation with its European partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, with departures on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

(Hina)

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