News Release

November 6, 2008

RDU Announces Nonstop Service to Paris

RDU Airport, NC — The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority today announced daily nonstop service between RDU to Paris-Charles De Gaulle International Airport provided by Delta Air Lines. The service will begin June 2, 2009.

Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President for Network Planning Bob Cortelyou made the announcement this morning in RDU's Terminal 2. Delta will move to Terminal 2 on Sunday, Nov. 9.

The flight will operate on a Boeing 757 daily except for Monday and Thursday. It is scheduled to depart RDU at 6:20 p.m. and arrive in Paris at 8:35 a.m. local time. The inbound flight will depart Paris at 10:30 a.m. local time and arrive at RDU at 2:15 p.m.

“With nonstop service from RDU to Paris-Charles De Gaulle, there are more destinations within easy reach of Research Triangle Region,” said Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Chairman Michael Weeks. “This new route will provide greater capacity for the hundreds of travelers already heading overseas each day from RDU through other gateways.”

In selecting RDU as the location for this new service, Delta Air Lines cited the strong business climate.

“Paris is a key destination for our traveling business community and our region's international economic development initiatives,” said Charles A. Hayes, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, which coordinates economic development for the 13-county Research Triangle Region of North Carolina. “It will serve as a major gateway to Europe, as well as emerging new markets in Asia and Africa. We are delighted at Delta's decision to add this expanded service for our region and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.”

The new service also strengthens the state's tourism and trade ties with the rest of the world. RDU's service area includes all of central and eastern North Carolina and is the gateway between international destinations and the Tar Heel State.

The announcement follows the October 26 opening of Terminal 2, which features an expanded international processing area. Paris joins RDU's roster of regularly scheduled international destinations that includes London, Toronto and seasonal service to Cancun.

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