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The Daily Tar Heel

RDU says ‘bonjour’ to Paris flights

North Carolina government and local businesses have raised $1.1 million for the venture in the hopes for a high return on the investment, according to an RDU press release.

Expanding air service by a single international flight translates to more than 100 new jobs and $25 million being pumped into the Triangle area in the first year, said Michael Walden, an N.C. State University graduate economics professor, who calculated those numbers in 2014.

Walden said in the press release that one new direct flight overseas would increase regional GDP by $1.4 billion and provide 14,000 new jobs over 25 years.

RDU will additionally waive fees during the flight’s premier year, thanks to a $1.25 million contribution from the Airport Authority.

To test the popularity of the direct flight to Paris, RDU plans to send Boeing 757-200 models, mid-sized aircrafts.

Roland Dai, a flight expert who books trips for the travel website Flightfox.com, said as Paris is one of the closest European hubs to Raleigh, it’s a safe choice for the expansion because RDU can use mid-sized aircrafts instead of investing in larger planes.

RDU’s other transatlantic flight, which goes to London, was a product of pharmaceutical business and led to initial flight subsidies, Dai said.

“Eventually the route was preforming strong enough that, basically, the airlines upgraded on their own,” he said.

Upon take-off to Paris, the airport said it will be the only midsize airport hub that offers two direct transatlantic flights. Charlotte Douglas International Airport — the 6th busiest in the nation — has 31 direct international flights, according to airport spokesperson Erika Helm.

Dai said airport flights are representative of that city’s economy, which could be good news for North Carolinians who get on board, literally, with the Paris flight.

“In Raleigh’s case, if most of the passengers are originating from the North Carolina area, generally that would mean that profits are going to be higher there, and the chance of success will be higher,” he said.

While people like Dai work to minimize traveling expenses, the luxury of non-stop flights to distant destinations is highly sought after, and to some, worth the premium.

“I would pay much more,” said Chuck Deng, an international student at UNC from Shanghai. “I would probably pay $500 more.”

Deng said multiple flights and long hours can be taxing for students.

The Airport Authority is putting $500,000 into marketing the trip, according to the press release.

Dai said he is confident about advertising in France.

“Delta has a partnership with Air France, and Air France will take care of a lot of the marketing, and that will be a lot easier from the Paris side of things.”

state@dailytarheel.com

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