Sustainability, Vision 2040 Projects Kick Into Gear
RDU Airport, NC – For the first half of 2018, the number of people boarding airplanes is up 10.5 percent over 2017. July 2018 also marks the 53rd consecutive month of growth with 597,686 people departing RDU during the month, a 12.3 percent increase over July 2017. The milestones were announced yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Airport Authority board.
“As we continue to see month-over-month growth at RDU, now is the right time to kick-off critical projects that enable us to serve our customers for years to come,” said Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Landguth.
Sustainability Management Plan
The board approved a $137,836 task order with AECOM for the first year of a three-year project to develop a sustainability management plan for the Airport Authority. The project would formalize the airport’s environmental stewardship efforts and create a strategic roadmap for minimizing environmental impacts during the implementation of projects defined in the Vision 2040 Master Plan.
The first year’s work includes the collection of data about environmental and stewardship efforts and the development of a baseline assessment of sustainability at the Airport Authority. It also includes the development of a framework for the sustainability management plan. Examples of sustainability initiatives currently underway include a robust recycling program, a LEED-certified terminal, power management systems and water bottle refill stations.
“Our new sustainability initiative will formalize strong practices already in place and allow us to make smart, responsible decisions environmentally, socially and fiscally,” continued Landguth.
ParkRDU Economy 3 Environmental Assessment
An environmental assessment process update for the planned expansion of ParkRDU Economy 3, was also presented to the RDUAA Board of Directors. The need to expand ParkRDU Economy 3 was identified during the Vision 2040 Master Plan, to accommodate the growth in passengers and vehicles, as well as the planned closures of some remote parking facilities.
The project was included in the Airport Layout Plan, conditionally approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November 2017. A FAA required environmental assessment is underway to identify possible environmental impacts prior to final design and construction. Part of the process includes public workshops; the first of which will be held Thursday, September 27 from 4-8 p.m. at the Airport Authority Offices at 1000 Trade Drive.
Terminal 1 Build Out
The board also approved a $1.3 million task order with Gensler for final design for the build out of Terminal 1. The project includes the infrastructure necessary to house additional airlines in Terminal 1 by providing ticketing, bag handling systems and gate infrastructure.
About the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority operates Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In 2017, 11.6 million passengers, about 32,000 people per day, flew through RDU. With 62 nonstop destinations and 9 airlines, RDU connects central North Carolina to the people and places that matter most. RDU powers our region’s economy with an $8.5 billion annual economic impact supporting 5,000 on campus and 20,000 regional jobs. RDU has the lowest average airfare of major North Carolina airports and was named the best connected medium hub airport by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s International Center for Aviation in 2016 and 2017. Learn about the Airport Authority board, including its monthly meetings.
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