British Airways has set an official date for its inaugural flight from London Heathrow to Zagreb. Services will launch on December 9. Daily flights will operate with the carrier’s Airbus A319, which will face off against Croatia Airlines on the route. The carrier is hoping to attract transit passengers heading to the United States and Canada with tickets already on sale. British becomes only the second airline from the Oneworld alliance to operate flights to the Croatian capital, following its partner Iberia.

Emil Delibashev, British Airways’ Commercial Manager for the region, said yesterday, “We are overjoyed to be launching direct flights between London Heathrow and Zagreb in the upcoming winter season and complement our existing service from Gatwick to Dubrovnik. British Airways has been present on the Croatian market since 2003 and we are happy to be expanding our presence ahead of Croatia’s entry into the European Union”. Delibashev emphasised the importance of transit passengers for the airline.