ASPEN ” Aspen’s airline service will expand this winter with a nonstop flight from Atlanta offered by Delta Air Lines, the carrier announced Wednesday.

Aspen business and airport officials reported last week they thought prospects were good for the additional service. Delta made it official Wednesday. Service will begin Feb. 16.

The new flights will be operated as Delta Connections by SkyWest Airlines, which also handles Delta flights between Aspen and Salt Lake City.

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The new flight will leave Aspen-Snowmass at 8 a.m. Saturday and arrive in Atlanta at 1:15 p.m. The flight will depart Atlanta at 1:55 p.m. for the trip back to Aspen, arriving at 4:35 p.m.

The service from Atlanta will be the longest nonstop flight into Aspen and the first from the Eastern Time Zone. Delta will use the Bombardier CRJ 700 aircraft.

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Although the service will only be offered on seven Saturdays in February and March, it could be an important first step in building more Delta service, said Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass and the business community’s liaison to the airline industry. Tomcich said Delta’s new service holds great potential for providing connections from the East Coast and international markets.

Delta operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline. Delta and Delta Connection flights go to 317 destinations in 55 countries.

“The fact that Delta Air Lines is initiating a nonstop flight from Atlanta is the most exciting airline news I’ve had the pleasure of reporting in my 12 years here,” Tomcich said in a prepared statement.