WAKE COUNTY, N.C. - Delta Air Lines has named Raleigh-Durham International Airport as a focus city and announced a continued investment in the region.

• RDU Airport is the fastest-growing city in Delta Air Lines' system
• The company is looking to expand in the Triangle
• There will be three daily non-stop flights to Chicago in 2019

Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President Joe Esposito delivered remarks at the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition’s transportation breakfast on Friday.

Esposito says RDU Airport is the number one fastest-growing city in Delta's entire system and highlighted the Triangle's strong business community as one of the main reasons why the company is looking to expand in the region.

“We've been making major investments in the community over the last 10 years and have geared up to handle the big business market in the local community,” Esposito said.

“Air service development is economic development. When companies invest in our market, whether it's a new manufacturing plant, a new business, a new pharma plant or a new airline, it says we're doing well because more jobs are being created. More jobs mean more economic opportunities,” said Joe Milazzo II, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance.

Delta recently announced next year's plan to add three daily non-stop flights to Chicago-O'Hare Airport, one of the Triangle's largest business destinations.