RDU Airport, NC – At its monthly meeting today, the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority discussed an update on the plans for modernizing Terminal 1 as well as an overview of a recent land use planning study.

Terminal 1 Plans
Terminal 1 architect Pearce, Brinkley, Cease and Lee presented the board with a schematic design of Terminal 1 once the renovation and modernization project is complete. The design includes:

• An inline bag handling system
• Larger security checkpoint that is easier to navigate
• Glass elevators adjacent to stairs and escalators
• Pre-security concession space
• New concourse exit area and meet and greet space
• New exterior building design
• Introduction of higher ceilings in the ticketing and bag claim areas
• Use of glass and translucent material to allow more natural light in the building

In May, AirTran and JetBlue along with other tenants will vacate the central section of Terminal 1, which is the part scheduled for renovation. Construction on Terminal 1 is scheduled to begin in Spring 2012.

Land Use Study
In 2010, the Airport Authority commissioned JDavis Architects to conduct a land use study of undeveloped airport property. The goal of the study was to determine potential land uses for six parcels of property, including identification of a site for a future consolidated rental car center (CONRAC). The firm presented its preliminary results today.

Passenger Numbers
In March 2011, 753,972 passengers traveled through RDU, an increase of 1.35 percent over the same month last year. In the first three months of 2011, 2.35 percent more passengers traveled through the airport than the same timeframe in 2010.

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