Airport Exceeded 2019 Traffic for the Month:

The Thanksgiving holiday boosted passenger traffic at RDU in November, with 1,259,984 passengers flying through the airport during the month, an increase of 17.8 percent over the same month last year. Passenger traffic was also up 5.7 percent over November 2019, the airport’s busiest year on record.  

“With 2023 drawing to close, we are reflecting on a busy year of recruiting new airlines, adding new nonstop destinations and welcoming millions of travelers to RDU,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “We look forward to serving more passengers during the final stretch of the busy season as they pass through RDU during their holiday travels.” 

Holiday traffic picked up again this week and is expected to last through the first few days of January. 

Sustainability Update: The Airport Authority will pursue Envision verification – a framework that provides direction in the planning, design and construction of sustainable and resilient infrastructure – for its Park Economy 3 (PE3) expansion project. As part of the process, the Authority will post construction updates and seek public comment specific about the sustainable elements of the PE3 project at www.rdu.com/sustainableconstruction. The Authority will also seek Envision verification for other capital projects under its Vision 2040 master plan, including the replacement of primary runway 5L-23R. 

Electric Fleet: The Airport Authority Board approved the purchase of two Ford F-150 hybrid trucks and one Ford Explorer utility hybrid vehicle on Thursday. The trucks and SUV will be used by RDU’s maintenance and police departments. The purchase will replace three vehicles that are being retired and will expand the Authority’s electric vehicle fleet. In 2019, RDU became the first public entity in the Research Triangle region to use electric buses when it introduced zero-emission parking shuttles. The Authority has five eco-friendly vans and passenger vehicles already in service, including a hybrid that has been in operation since 2003.   

Travel Tips: Travelers can follow a few simple tips to make their journey run smoothly during the busy holiday season:  

• You can find important travel information on our home page at rdu.com, including flight status and parking availability. We suggest you check both before you head to the airport. You can also check the status of your flight using your airline’s mobile app.  
• Travelers can book parking at parkrdu.com for guaranteed entry into the deck or lot of their choice. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.  
• ParkRDU Express reopened in October, adding 1,000 more parking spaces on campus. The convenient trunk-to-terminal service offers airport guests assistance with their luggage and a direct shuttle to the terminals. The Express lot is located on International Drive near Park Economy 4.  
• We recommend arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights, so you’ll have enough time to park, check in and go through security.   
• If you’re picking someone up from the airport, try using our free Cell Phone Lot, located at 1000 Trade Drive near the rental car companies.  You can wait there for a call or text letting you know your loved one has arrived. Be sure to give them 30 minutes after they touch down to pick up their bags and meet you on the curb.