RDU Airport, NC – Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Terminal 2 officially opened for business yesterday when the first flight departed just before 6 a.m. The new terminal features a modern design that guides passengers easily from the curb to the gate. Passenger amenities include a variety of specialty retail shops and restaurants, including local favorites, and a new processing area for international travelers.
The following airlines are operating from Terminal 2: Air Canada, American, American Eagle and United. Delta Airlines will move into Terminal 2 on November 9.
“Terminal 2 is a facility that reflects the dynamic region RDU serves and supports our passengers’ travel needs,” said Teresa Damiano, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s director of marketing. “Architecture and art combine to introduce visitors to the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina. Customer amenities include 40 electronic kiosks, a large security checkpoint and shops and restaurants that cater to leisure and business travelers.”
Phase two of the terminal will open in Winter 2011. When completed, the terminal will feature a total of 32 boarding gates, more than 40 shops and restaurants, five baggage claim carousels and six commissioned works of art.
With the opening of Terminal 2, RDU’s Terminal A was renamed Terminal 1. The following airlines are operating from Terminal 1: AirTran, Continental, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest and US Airways. Delta will operate from Terminal 1 until its move to Terminal 2 on November 9.
RDU’s Terminal 2 has been in the making for more than 15 years. In the 1990s, central North Carolina experienced tremendous growth. With new jobs and new residents came an increased demand for air travel. Terminal 2 is designed to support the travel needs of the Research Triangle Region and also positions the airport for future growth. When completed in Winter 2011, Terminal 2 will accommodate 11.4 million passengers per year.
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Terminal 2 Facts
Major Elements
Two concourses featuring 32 gates
Large security checkpoint with 10 lanes
Three island-style airline check-in counters to ease congestion in the lobby
Two Phase Project
Phase One opened: October 26, 2008
Phase Two opens: Winter 2011
Fast Facts
Total Cost: $570 million
At 920,000 square feet, Terminal 2 will be nearly three times larger than Terminal C.
Terminal 2 will accommodate up to 11.4 million passengers a year.
Now Open
Square footage: 550,000
Airlines: American, American Eagle, Delta, United, Air Canada
Concourse C (North Concourse)
Gates: 19
Restaurants and shops: 26
Two ticketing islands
Seven security checkpoint lanes available for operation by the TSA
Federal Inspection Services facility for arriving international travelers
Three baggage claim carousels
Phase Two
Square footage: 370,000
Airlines: Continental, Northwest, US Airways
Concourse D (South concourse)
Shops and Restaurants: 14
One ticketing island
Three security checkpoint lanes available for operation by the TSA
Two baggage claim carousels
Passenger Experience
Following facts refer to full completion in 2011.
Three ticketing islands each feature twenty traditional ticket counters. More than 60 electronic kiosks will be located throughout the lobby for ticketless travelers.
The north concourse will be 650 feet longer than the Terminal C north concourse.
Each concourse features two moving walkways.
The security checkpoint will accommodate up to 10 security checkpoint lanes.
Additional space adjacent to the security checkpoint area is available to accommodate future changes in security technology and processes.
The baggage claim area will feature five baggage carousels.
A fully automated in-line baggage screening system will screen all checked luggage as required by the Transportation Security Administration. This technology will remove the baggage screening equipment from the terminal lobby.
The Federal Inspection Services facility is two times larger than the current one. The new FIS will allow the processing of more than 400 passengers per hour.
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