RALEIGH-DURHAM INTERNATIONAL (WTVD) -- Delta is running its inaugural direct flight from RDU to Paris Thursday.
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, community leaders, and area businesses partnered with Delta to bring the service.
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority says international service at RDU has increased by about 23 percent in the past 4-5 years. Now, that service will be direct.
Delta is operating the 8-hour flights daily.
This is the second direct transatlantic flight offered at RDU - American runs a flight to London.
Thursday's inaugural Paris flight leaves RDU at about 6 p.m. It'll arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at about 8 a.m. Paris time. In addition, a flight arrives at RDU from Paris at about 1 p.m.