RECORD-SETTING GROWTH

RDU’s passenger count grew by more than 10 percent in 2019. Seven months experienced double-digit year-over-year growth. July was the busiest month in airport history, with more than 679,000 travelers boarding flights throughout the month. Dec. 1 set a single-day record with approximately 54,800 passengers.

NEW FLIGHTS, NEW DESTINATIONS

RDU added 23 new routes and five new cities to its map in 2019. Spirit became RDU’s 10th airline, Air Canada launched a direct flight to Montreal, and Frontier, Delta and American added new nonstop service.

AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE

J.D. Power elevated RDU from a medium to large airport and ranked it fifth in passenger satisfaction in its new category. A RDU restaurant and retail store both earned top awards from USA Today 10Best and Airport Experience News. The Moody’s bond rating agency affirmed RDU’s financial performance with another Aa3 senior secured rating.

CATERING TO OUR CUSTOMERS

RDU hosted the grand opening of 15 new retail shops, signed on to bring ethnic flavors, local breweries and other fresh concessions concepts to our terminals and became the first airport in the United Airlines network to add a customer club in more than a decade.

PARKING MADE EASY, BUSES GO GREEN

RDU introduced ParkRDU Express, an affordable trunk-to-terminal parking service, and an online booking system that guarantees customers the best daily rate and a space in the parking lot of their choice when booked at least 24 hours in advance. The airport became the first public entity in the region to go green by adding electric buses to its fleet.

FUNDING GROWTH

The airport received a $10 million FAA grant to complete the reconstruction of Taxiway B and nearly $18 million in recurring funding from the N.C. General Assembly. RDU signed a land-lease agreement that will generate at least $24 million for critical infrastructure projects and announced its first public-private partnership to develop a new corporate aviation campus.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

RDU opened two new TSA security lanes in Terminal 2 and began construction of two more to reduce wait times and improve the customer experience. The airport initiated an emergency runway preservation program, repaved John Brantley Blvd. and the Economy 3 parking lot, and kicked off a year-plus long campaign to improve elevators, escalators and passenger walkways in the parking decks. RDU also announced it will invest approximately $500 million to build a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and Ground Transportation Center to reduce congestion on the terminal curbs and provide walkable access to the rental car centers.

WINGS FOR AUTISM

RDU, the Arc of the Triangle and Delta Airlines participated in annual the Wings for Autism® event in September. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families rehearsed checking in, going through security and boarding a flight to alleviate the stress they might experience when traveling by air.

LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT

In November, RDU highlighted a love connection made thousands of feet above land. Love took off on a Frontier flight from Orlando to RDU in January 2017. The Authority shared this meet-cute between newlyweds Nestor and Jamie Ramirez in November, along with their wedding photos captured in our terminal. RDU is humbled to play a small role in their sweet love story.