News Release

December 23, 2008

Paris Flight Start-up Delayed By Delta

RDU Airport, NC — The Authority was notified on Dec. 23 by Delta Air Lines that it will delay the start-up of nonstop service between RDU and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport until 2010.

The company indicated that its decision was based upon the current economic climate and not the strength of the market or demand for the service.

“We are obviously disappointed by Delta’s decision as Paris service would have opened many new and efficient international travel opportunities for the citizens of our region,” said Teresa Damiano, RDU Director of Marketing. “These are unpredictable times for the aviation industry and we are confident that a strong demand for air service in our region will allow for growth as the global economy rebounds,” she said.

Each day, nearly 500 people travel between RDU and an overseas destination. Approximately 150 of those travelers a day use nonstop service on American Airlines' daily flight to London-Heathrow. The remainder travel through gateways such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York and Washington D.C. Also, Air Canada operates three daily flights to Toronto.

The non-stop flight between RDU and Paris was one of 22 new international routes announced by Delta Air Lines following its merger with Northwest Airlines this fall. The airline is reportedly postponing other routes announced between the U.S. and cities such as Shannon, Ireland and Gothenburg, Sweden.

Delta Air Lines Vice-President Bob Cortelyou announced the RDU to Paris service during a press conference from Terminal 2 on November 6. Since that time, the Airport Authority has been working with the N.C. Division of Travel and Tourism, Research Triangle Regional Partnership and many other partner organizations throughout the region on ways to promote the route.

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