1930's

1940's

In a full-page ad in area newspapers, Eastern Airlines President Captain Eddie Rickenbacker urges Wake and Durham counties and the cities of Durham and Raleigh to build an airport together. “Do not allow civic jealousies or selfish motives to creep into a project that means so much to all of you,” says Rickenbacker in 1940. While under construction, RDU is taken over in 1942 by the federal government for use during World War II. The base is designated Raleigh-Durham Army Air Field in January 1943 with barracks and three runways becoming operational on May 1, 1943. The base serves as a training facility for the Army Air Corps until January 1, 1948.

Eastern Airlines is permitted use of the airfield and begins service from RDU to New York and Miami in 1943. These flights stop in Richmond, Washington , D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia during the four-hour flight to New York. Stops were made in Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Vero Beach and West Palm during the six-hour flight to Miami.

1,223 acres of land acquired and used by the federal government during WWII at Raleigh-Durham Airport is formally returned to the four local governmental units in 1946. An initial investment by RDU of $65,000 is now worth $2,225,000.

Capital Airlines (later renamed United) begins service at RDU in 1947

Piedmont Airlines begins service in 1948 at RDU bringing the total daily flights to 22.

1950's

RDU's first terminal opens in 1955.

1960's

Eastern Airlines brings the commercial jet age to RDU with Boeing 727 jet service in 1965.

1970's

Delta becomes the fourth carrier to serve RDU in 1970.

The year is 1978 and President Jimmy Carter signs the Airline Deregulation Act.

Allegheny Airlines, later to become US Airways, begins service at RDU in 1979, now five carriers serve RDU.

1980's

Terminal A opens to great fanfare in 1981.

Trans World Airlines begins service in 1984 as the sixth carrier to serve RDU passengers.

American Airlines begins service in 1985 as RDU's seventh carrier.

RDU opened the 10,000 foot runway 5L-23R in 1986.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Tower opens in May 1987.

American Airlines opens its north-south hub operation at RDU in the new Terminal C in June 1987, greatly increasing the size of RDU's operations with a new terminal including a new apron and runway. American brought RDU its first international flights to Bermuda, Cancun and Paris Orly.

1990's

American Airlines begins service from RDU to London-Gatwick in 1994.

Midway Airlines begins service at RDU and relocates its corporate headquarters to the Triangle area in March of 1995.

ValuJet, later to become AirTran Airlines, begins service at RDU in 1995 as the eighth carrier at RDU.

Continental Airlines also begins service in 1995 bringing the number of major carriers to nine.

In 1996, America n Airlines ceased hub operations at RDU due to difficulty competing with USAir's hub in Charlotte and Delta's hub in Atlanta for passengers traveling between smaller cities in the North and South. American began downsizing its RDU operations and eventually discontinued almost all of its mainline flights there, although it still runs a daily service to Gatwick and a number of commuter flights through American Eagle.

RDU's first international carrier, Air Canada, introduces service to Toronto in 1996.

Canadian Regional begins service to Toronto in 1997.

MetroJet, a subsidiary of US Airways, begins service at RDU in 1999.

RDU opens Park and Ride 4 in 1999 on a permanent basis to accommodate the growing number of RDU travelers. RDU invests $3.5 million in paving, lighting, curb and gutter and bus shelter improvements.

The nation's largest low-fare carrier, Southwest Airlines, starts service at RDU with 12 daily departures to five destinations in 1999.

2000's

In February 2000, RDU is ranked as the nation's second fastest growing major airport in the United States, by Airports Council International, based on 1999 statistics. Passenger growth hit 24% over the previous year, putting RDU second only to Washington Dulles International.

In the first half of 2000, RDU opens a new $40 million terminal area parking deck providing a total of 2,700 new parking spaces between the terminals.

Park and Ride 3 doubles its capacity from 2,000 to 4,000 spaces. New spaces open in time for winter 2000 holiday rush.

Underground tunnel connecting new parking deck to Terminal A opens for public use for the busy winter travel season of 2000.

In 2001, RDU opens Terminal A south concourse for use by Northwest and Continental Airlines. The addition adds 46,000 square feet and 5 aircraft gates to the terminal.

America West begins service at RDU with flights to Phoenix and Las Vegas in 2002.

RDU celebrates its expanded concessions program in 2002 with the grand opening of The Shops of RDU Landing, which offers passengers 35 new restaurants and retail outlets.

The Transportation Security Administration federalizes all checkpoints at RDU in 2002.

In 2003, RDU installed its first permanent work of art, a tile mural depicting North Carolina's ecosystems. The artwork is located in the pedestrian tunnel connecting Parking Garage 3 with Terminal A.

RDU launches RDU Airport Taxi Service, which features a new fleet of vehicles and on-demand service to and from the airport in 2003.

RDU celebrated the centennial of flight in 2003 with the Triangle Icon. The sculpture is a joint project of the cities of Durham and Raleigh, the counties of Durham and Wake and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. RDU was chosen as the ideal location for the sculpture since over the years it has become a gateway to the region. The Icon is located near the terminal area parking entry plaza.

In 2003, RDU also dedicated the new general aviation (GA) terminal. The GA terminal is the focal point of RDU's newly redeveloped general aviation complex. The facility will feature a restaurant with an observation area, pilot's lounge, conference rooms and information and business services.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority decided to renovate Terminal C in 2003. This was after the airport acquired the Terminal’s lease from American Airlines in 2002.

Independence Air begins service at RDU in 2004. Independence is the first new carrier to arrive at RDU since the arrival of America West in the spring of 2002.

RDU opens North Carolina 's first airport-based USO center in 2004. The 1,500 square foot facility is located in Terminal A on the second floor directly above the AirTran ticket counter.

In 2004, RDU began its Terminal C expansion and renovation project. Visit the Airport Development — Terminal C section for current status and a photo gallery of the project.

RDU becomes a Wi-Fi hotspot in 2005, offering high-speed wireless Internet service in both terminals.

In 2005, RDU begins non-stop service to Salt Lake City.

Non-stop service to Los Angeles’ LAX is added in early 2006. The flight is offered by Delta.

Groundbreaking on the new terminal project took place in early 2006. The project will open in phases between 2008 and 2010.

Also in the spring 2006, Jet Blue begins service at RDU. The airline is known as a great low-cost carrier with high-end amenities.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority approves plans to completely redevelop Terminal C into a new terminal in late 2006. The original design had been to only renovate the north concourse of the current Terminal C. The new plan includes demolishing and rebuilding the entire Terminal C to make way for a new terminal.

RDU begins non-stop service to Denver in early 2007. The city was known to be one of the most high demand markets by RDU travelers.

ExpressJet Airlines started service at RDU in 2007. The airline offers flights to such business stops as Birmingham, Ala.; Louisville, Ky.; and Jacksonville, Fla.

2007 also welcomed the arrival of Midwest Connect. The airline offers non-stop service to Milwaukee.

United Airlines returns to RDU in September 2007. The airline had been offering flights, as United Express, to Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare.