– EXCELLENCE –
DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENCE
- SkyTrax: Top 100 World Airports
- SkyTrax: Ranked #7 among North American Regional Airports
- Airports Council International: Inclusion Champion Award
- Cheapflights.com: 31st most affordable airport in the U.S.
- WeWork.com: A top 6 airport for tech travelers
- America’s Healthiest Employer: 2nd Healthiest Employer in the U.S.
- Triangle Business Journal: Healthiest Employer in the Triangle
- BBC Magazine: A top 10 U.S. Airport
- J.D. Power & Associates: 3rd Best Medium Sized U.S. Airport
CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH
While most of our revenue is generated at the airport itself, we rely on two key federal funding mechanisms for infrastructure-related costs. In 2015, Congress was considering changes to both the passenger facility charge and the Airport Improvement Program as part of the 2015 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill.
In March 2015, President and CEO Michael Landguth and other key airport leaders visited Washington D.C. to meet with federal representatives from North Carolina and those in committee leadership positions from other states in an effort to ensure a continuity of federal funding for RDU.
ELECTED OFFICIALS TOUR
The event was an education initiative to help state and local leaders understand the importance of state and federal funding to major projects. During the event, President and CEO Michael Landguth briefed leaders on the challenges and opportunities of funding.
The briefing took place in the middle of 5L-23R, the airport’s 10,000-foot runway, which is facing the need for replacement within the next 10 years after nearly 30 years of service. After the briefing, the officials received a tour of other key infrastructure assets on the airfield.
While the majority of airport operating revenue is generated on-site, the Airport Authority relies on state and federal funding for major capital improvements, such as the runway reconstruction.
UBER/LYFT
The airport also rose to the meet the challenge of providing access to RDU by emerging ground transportation providers. Transportation Network Companies, such as Uber and Lyft, use smartphone applications to connect passengers and contract drivers.
Recognizing the desire of RDU customers to utilize TNCs and the difficulties in doing so under state law, the Airport Authority took the lead in working with airports from across North Carolina to lobby the N.C. General Assembly to provide updated legislation that would provide for an easier permitting process for these companies.
Once the passed new legislation, the Airport Authority worked closely with Uber and Lyft, the two TNCs serving our region, to craft a permitting plan that allows the businesses to work best according to their business models while at the same time protecting the Airport Authority’s interests in maintaining a safe and efficient airport.
DIGITAL MEDIA SUMMIT
It’s no secret that many people are choosing to use social media and digital devices to receive news and information about the world around them.
At RDU, more than 40,000 people subscribe to the airport’s seven social media channels. In 2015, we shared more than 1,700 news and information updates by social media.
In September, the Airport Authority hosted more than 70 communicators from about 50 airports throughout the U.S. and Canada for the American Association of Airport Executives’ fifth annual Digital Media Summit in downtown Raleigh.
During the two-day conference, attendees learned from shared communications experiences and from community social media speakers including Cary’s SAS and the University of North Carolina School of Journalism and Digital Media. RDU lead a session on ways to involve and encourage airport executives to participate in social and digital media.