Passengers who landed at Kona International Airport today on Delta Air Lines' inaugural daily direct flight from Los Angeles were greeted with lei, a Hawaiian blessing and entertainment.

The Big Island Visitors Bureau coordinated the greeting for the 178 passengers who arrived on the Boeing 757-200, which was sold out.

The flight has a scheduled departure time from Los Angeles at 1:10 p.m. and a scheduled arrivals time in Kona at 3:52 p.m. The return overnight flight is scheduled to depart Kona at 8:50 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 5:03 a.m.

George Applegate, BIVB's executive director, said the new flight provides another direct route from the Los Angeles area — the Big Island's top visitor market — and its connecting cities, which include Atlanta and Salt Lake City.

"The timing of Delta's new direct flight is strategic and most welcome as we approach the summer travel season," Applegate said. "Delta's commitment to Hawai'i Island could result in nearly 65,000 more visitors per year."