RALEIGH, NC – Delta Air Lines announced on Thursday it will launch daily, nonstop service between the Triangle and Paris.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport already has nonstop daily services to London and, with the addition of the Paris route, RDU will become the only medium-sized hub airport to offer its passengers two daily, nonstop transatlantic flights. Each year, more than 1.5 million people travel between RDU and international destinations. Today, daily nonstop service to London serves approximately 10% of these travelers.

In addition to providing nonstop service to Europe, Delta’s new international flight will also have a direct economic impact on the region and state. In 2014, North Carolina State University economy professor Dr. Michael Walden determined that the economic impact of one international flight will result in an additional $25 million in net economic spending in the Triangle and create 100 new jobs within the first year. Over a 25 year period, Walden found, the impact of one international flight will boost the region’s GDP by $1.4B, add 14,000 new jobs and contribute $272 million to public entities.

Tickets for Delta Air Lines service to Paris go on sale Saturday for flights beginning May 12, 2016, on a Boeing 757-200. The flight will depart Paris at 10:45 a.m. and arrive at RDU at 2 p.m. A 6:15 p.m. departure from RDU arrive in Paris at 8:35 a.m. the following day.