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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/818811
May 2017 airportbusiness 51 INDUSTRY INSIDER and it was the perfect time for Seattle to have a global carrier and Delta, of course, is that carri- er. It's been a great success story. And a lot of that has to do with the acceptance of the local community that wants a carrier that can serve all areas of the world from Seattle. AB: What hubs do you see as having growth prospects in 2017? BC: The whole industry in the U.S. is doing incredibly well. We're seeing a lot of leisure trav - el now along with more business traffic. The results are very welcome coming off 2016 into 2017. Where wouldn't you want to go? There are a lot of opportunities around the country. AB: For many airports, Delta Connection service may be their best chance to get flights. With all the competition among the airports out there to get that service, what does it take to get your attention these days? BC: What it takes is more about the eco- nomic prospect of an area. We've been building up what we call focus cities like Raleigh, [North Carolina] or Boston. We're building those cities where we see are economic engines with good population growth. When we see all-around strength in those types of cities, we start add- ing flights. A lot of times it's not airports that come to us; we are going to airports. AB: Many airports have teams that do a lot of research and create data that they present to airlines. Of course, the airlines do their own research. What's the split between the data that Delta uses to research cities and the research that airports and cities present to Delta? BC: The reality is when a city comes to visit us, we want to know more about the people in that city. We have our numbers and they've Bob Cortelyou, senior vice president of network planning, Delta Air Lines. Delta Air Lines Seattle is an important market for Delta to invest in because Cortelyou said the market deserves a global carrier. Delta Air Lines