Delta Airlines will launch a direct flight from the Lincoln Airport to the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International.

The flight starts Sept. 8, providing Nebraska travelers more connections to the Southeast and international destinations. Delta already provides several direct flights daily from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield to Atlanta.

Lincoln Airport officials said the flight schedule will be convenient for business travelers, leaving Lincoln at 7 a.m. Central time and arriving in Atlanta at 10:17 a.m. Eastern time. The return flight leaves Atlanta at 7:15 p.m. and returns to Lincoln at 8:42 p.m.

Delta operated a similar flight in 2009, but an inconvenient schedule deterred passengers from taking it, said John Wood, executive director of the Lincoln Airport.

He said the airport is making the flight available again through a $750,000 federal grant that will provide Delta guaranteed revenue. However, if travelers support the service, the funds won’t be necessary, he said.

“We know there’s a demand for service to the Southeast, we expect fares to be competitive, and we have a convenient schedule,” Wood said. “We believe that combination will put passengers on the planes.”