Raleigh-Durham International Airport continues to boast high passenger traffic numbers as we enter the summer travel season. More than 1.4 million passengers traveled through RDU in May, an increase of 8.6% over the previous month.
Memorial Day weekend brought nearly 96,000 departing passengers through RDU between Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 26. The busiest day was Sunday, May 25, with more than 27,000 travelers flying out of the airport.
“Travel for Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and college graduations added up to a busy month in May,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “With a new airline, new destinations and new dining concepts coming on board, we are preparing for a high-traffic summer season.”
Air Canada Vancouver Launch: The inaugural flight from RDU to Vancouver International Airport took off on June 5, offering nonstop service between the Triangle and the West Coast of Canada for the first time. Nonstop service to Vancouver has been in high demand with RDU travelers who want to visit British Columbia or connect to countries across the Pacific. The Vancouver service will operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from June 5 through Sept. 30.
WestJet Calgary Debut: RDU added another new international destination and a new airline on June 9 when WestJet began nonstop service to Calgary International Airport. The low-cost Canadian carrier brings the number of airlines at RDU to a record 19. WestJet’s service to Calgary offers travelers convenient access to the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada and easy connections to their network of international destinations. The Calgary route will operate from June 9 through Oct. 13 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
New Dining Concept: RDU welcomed a new restaurant to its dining lineup this month when Guy’s Pizza Joint opened in Terminal 2. The concept comes from celebrity chef and Food Network star Guy Fieri. It offers a variety of pizzas, including The Guy-Talian and the Cheeseburger pizza. The restaurant is one of many new concepts opening in RDU’s terminals through 2026 as part of the Reimagine campaign to elevate the airport dining scene.
July 4 Travel Tips: Another busy holiday weekend is just around the corner, with Independence Day falling on a Friday this year. RDU recommends following a few simple tips if you are flying or picking up a guest:
- Anyone picking up arriving passengers should wait in the free cell phone lot located at 1000 Trade Drive, just a few minutes from the terminals.
- Have your party call you when they land, then give them 30 minutes to deplane, pick up their luggage and meet you on the terminal curb.
- Departing passengers should arrive at the airport two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours ahead for international flights.
- Remember to bring a REAL ID or other federally approved form of identification.