Have a craving for Chicago style deep dish pizza? Beginning in July you can get a direct flight from Wilmington International Airport twice a day to the Windy City.

American Eagle made public today plans to offer two daily nonstop flights from Wilmington to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The flights begin July 3 on 44 passenger regional jets. American Eagle, an American Airlines affiliate, does not currently operate any flights out of Wilmington.

“That’s very exciting news,” said Jon Rosborough, executive director at the airport. “It’s pretty impressive for a little airport.”

Rosborough said that Wilmington now serves six of its Top 10 destinations with nonstop flights. He said the flight should provide a 7 to 10 percent increase in business at the airport. ILM officials tried to negotiate a Chicago flight with existing carriers Delta and USAirways before beginning the process with American. The flight is expected to cost about $350 round-trip or $185 each way, though flight costs can vary greatly depending on scheduling.

According to Rosborough, American expressed interest in the flight to connect passengers to the West Coast from its hub at O’Hare. Companies in Wilmington have also been asking for a nonstop flight to Chicago, particularly GE Hitahi, which has offices in the city.

“The flights have good frequency and a great schedule for a business person,” Rosborough said.

“Now, it will be easier for Wilmington residents to access the United States and the world through American’s gateway at O’Hare International Airport,” said Gary Voss, the vice president of planning and marketing for American Airlines regional affiliates in a statement. “Likewise, the Chicago connection will make Wilmington’s many historic sites - and its white sand beaches - easily accessible through one of American’s largest hubs.”

Flight times could allow for a one-day trip, with a 6 a.m. flight out of ILM and a return flight landing at 11:35 p.m. that night.

“This is great news for our flying public and, in particular, our business travelers flying nonstop into a new major market,” said Jonathan Barfield, Chairman of the New Hanover County (N.C.) Commissioners in a press release. “I know our community will be ecstatic and we believe this air service will be very successful.”

Boston is the next nonstop target on the ILM list. Rosborough said he has a meeting in the next month to get that ball rolling, but that success with existing and new flights is the best way to ensure new nonstop flights continue to come to Wilmington.

“You plant the seed and hope you come back in about a year and announce the new flight,” Rosborough said.

ILM now services 7 cities nonstop commercially: New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago and Orlando.