State officials today announced a new airline connection between Des Moines and Memphis, Tennessee. Northwest Airlines Vice President Jim Cron says they’re expanding flights to several cities, including Des Moines.They’re adding 48 new daily flights and Des Moines will be the only new northern city with new non-stop service in the expansion. The flight to Des Moines will leave in the mornng and return in the evening. Cron says the new route will help Iowans who’re traveling south. He says one of the company’s biggest complaints is that they have to fly north to Minneapolis before flying south.Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson says the new route is one step in bringing more competitive airline service to Iowa.Cron says if the Memphis flight proves to be popular, a second flight may be added out of Des Moines and later a flight out of Cedar Rapids.