RDU finished strong in 2024, with more than 1.3 million guests traveling in the month of December, a 12.4 percent increase over Dec. 2023.
“With another record-breaking year behind us at RDU, we are looking forward to welcoming more airlines and international routes than ever before in 2025,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The new year is starting off strong as we prepare to launch new destinations, add new airline partners and connect the Research Triangle region with even more travel opportunities.”
The airport ended the year with 15.5 million travelers compared to 14.5 million in 2023, an increase of 6.5 percent.
Economic Impact: The N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation released its 2025 State of Aviation report this month, detailing the economic impact North Carolina’s 72 publicly owned airports have on the communities they serve. The report shows RDU has an annual impact of $24.1 billion on the economy and supports 139,745 direct and indirect jobs. RDU also generates $9.8 billion in personal income and $1.3 billion in tax revenue for government agencies. The airport contributes to the economy through spending by travelers, airlines, concessionaires and rental car companies, along with capital project construction, facilities maintenance and operational services. The report, produced every two years, helps guide investment in aviation infrastructure and provides a tool for recruiting aviation and aerospace industry companies and investment.
Air Service: Flights to warm weather destinations are in demand at RDU. JetBlue added a second daily flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for March and April and Spirit is adding more flights to Ft. Lauderdale. Spirit increased the frequency of its Ft. Lauderdale route from four times a week to nine times a week in January, and from four times a week to seven times a week in February. Avelo will launch two international routes from RDU next month with nonstop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Both Avelo routes will fly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from mid-November through September.