US air carrier Delta Air Lines is launching direct flight service between New York and Dubrovnik on 3 July, which will operate four times a week between John F. Kennedy Airport and Dubrovnik Airport, the Croatia's state tourist board HTZ said on Friday in a press release carried by state agency Hina.

Direct flights to Croatia and Dubrovnik have earlier been announced by United Airlines and the Pragusa.One airline.

HTZ director Kristjan Stanicic said that this was great news for Croatia and its tourism industry because these flights would bring a lot more Americans to Croatia, particularly to its southern coastal destinations which are very popular on the US market.

Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President at Delta Air Lines, was quoted as saying that the new route was being launched because Croatia was among the first European countries to reopen to American travelers.