Delta adds flights, will go again to LA

Delta Air Lines continues to expand service at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and announced Monday that it will add daily nonstop flights to Albany, N.Y., and Providence, R.I., on April 11.

The carrier also plans to resume service to Los Angeles on May 5, providing daily nonstop flights to a key West Coast destination. Delta stopped the RDU-LA service in November, and officials said restarting it would depend on the economy and other trends. More than 250,000 passengers a year travel between RDU and Los Angeles.

RDU officials are eager to see airlines add more nonstop service, especially to the West Coast. Economic developers say that's an important tool when they recruit business to this region.

A recent consultant's report for RDU showed Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego among key markets not served by nonstop flights. Passengers can reach almost anywhere from RDU, but some cities require making connections, which can add hassle and time.

Delta has been adding other service at RDU as the economy improves and travel revives, especially among business travelers. On Nov. 1, it added service to Hartford, Conn.; Columbus, Ohio; Orlando and Tampa, Fla., and St. Louis. It also added more daily departures to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boston and New York.