United Airlines recently announced it will return to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In October 2001, the airline discontinued service at RDU when it formed a partnership with a regional carrier to provide United Express service to Chicago and Washington D.C.

Today, United offers 12 daily departures to Chicago, Washington Dulles and Denver using a mix of mainline and regional aircraft.

“United’s return to RDU illustrates the airline’s continued confidence in our community and the strong traveling market it is home to,” said Teresa Damiano, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s director of marketing. “Mainline service also directly benefits passengers by offering more seats and therefore more travel choices.”

United Airlines will resume handling all of its aircraft operations at RDU this September. All United and United Express flights will continue to operate from Terminal C.

In April, United Airlines began service to Denver using the Boeing 737-300. The flight signaled the re-emergence of United mainline service to the Research Triangle Region.

Also in the spring, the airline replaced some of its regional jet service to Chicago O’Hare and Washington’s Dulles airport with mainline service using Boeing 737s. Today, United offers four United Express flights to Chicago and two United mainline flights daily. To Washington, the airline offers two mainline flights and three regional jet flights each day.

Midwest Airlines returned to RDU on June 1 with nonstop service to Milwaukee, a new destination for our travelers. The airline offers three daily departures using 50-seat regional jets and features their signature fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies on each flight. Midwest Airlines, as Midwest Express, offered service between RDU and Milwaukee from 1998 – 2001.

The airline returned to RDU because the Research Triangle Region is a frequently requested destination for government, educational institutions and the high-tech industries based here. The new route affords customers in the upper Midwest a quick and convenient way to reach North Carolina and the many attractions in our region.

In the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s latest air service study, Milwaukee was identified as the 12th market without nonstop service that could be supported by RDU passengers.

Following is the schedule for Midwest Connect service between RDU and Milwaukee.

For airline and fare information, please visit www.midwestairlines.com.