RDU will welcome a new airline and a new international destination when Volaris launches nonstop flights to Guadalajara, Mexico, in October. The service will connect the Research Triangle region to the technology hub known as the “Silicon Valley of Mexico” and offer more options for leisure travel. “The nonstop service to Guadalajara on Volaris will link two dynamic and innovative regions and create new opportunities for business, collaboration and growth,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “It will also strengthen connections between our vibrant communities by making it easier for Triangle-area travelers to visit family and friends.” The Volaris route will launch on Oct. 16 and fly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on a 238-seat Airbus 321 Neo. Guadalajara joins Cancun and Mexico City as RDU’s third destination in Mexico. “The new nonstop service reinforces Volaris’ commitment to expanding connectivity between Mexico and the United States while giving our customers more convenient options for traveling between two important markets. Guadalajara is also our largest hub, providing travelers with access to destinations around the world. With this new route, Volaris is bringing people closer, supporting tourism and business, and strengthening Guadalajara’s role as one of our most important gateways,” said Holger Blankenstein, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Operations at Volaris. With the addition of Volaris, RDU’s route map will include a record 91 nonstop destinations on 19 airlines. Visit rdu.com to see where you can fly next.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has reached a milestone in a sustainability program that helps airports identify, measure and manage carbon emissions. The Airport Authority recently reached Level 1 of Airport Carbon Accreditation, an initiative launched by Airports Council International. Level 1 accreditation establishes a foundation for understanding RDUAA’s carbon footprint and identifying opportunities for future progress in reducing emissions. “This accreditation reflects our commitment to understanding our environmental impact and finding practical ways to make a difference,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “Knowing where our emissions come from will help us continue to make thoughtful, informed decisions over time.” The accreditation process included adopting a policy to reduce emissions and support long-term sustainability planning, identifying emissions from sources such as vehicles, emergency generators and electricity, and calculating annual emissions. The Airport Authority plans to build upon this work as we progress towards Level 2 of Airport Carbon Accreditation. Pet Relief Areas: Four-legged travelers have a new place to make a pit stop at RDU. The airport recently opened new indoor pet relief areas in both terminals. Having relief areas beyond the checkpoints means animals can take a break without travelers having to leave the terminal and go through security again. They are among many amenities RDU provides to make the travel experience more comfortable and convenient for everyone, including furry companions. The new pet relief areas are located near Gate A7 in Terminal 1 and near Gate C9 in Terminal 2. Confidence Takes Flight: RDU was proud to partner with Breeze Airways, the Arc of North Carolina and Triangle Disability & Autism Services this month to host Wings for Autism, an event aimed at helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families feel comfortable and confident about the airport experience. Nearly 90 people practiced going through security, navigating the terminal and boarding a plane in a welcoming environment. Making every traveler feel respected and supported is a priority for RDU, and we were pleased to provide an opportunity to help make air travel more accessible for everyone.

RDU has reached another major milestone in the expansion of Terminal 2. Construction crews will soon begin removing the north window wall of the terminal, an important step in expanding the building. The larger Terminal 2 will provide more space for ticketing, security screening, baggage claim and international arrivals. Construction noise may be heard in portions of the terminal during this phase of the work, but there will be no impact on travel. We appreciate passengers’ patience as we transform RDU to accommodate growth and improve the travel experience. Learn more about our capital program at TransformRDU.com.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s main commercial runway is reaching the end of its lifespan. Built 40 years ago, it’s now due for replacement, and the airport is deep into the work required to make that happen. Today, we’re going behind-the-scenes with Bill Sandifer, executive vice president and chief development officer, to check in on RDU’s largest construction project in the airport’s history. View on Instagram Moving Lots — and Lots — of Dirt Before a new runway can be paved, crews must move and plane more than two miles of terrain. “Where we sit here today is, we’re on the cusp of about a million cubic yards being moved,” Sandifer said. “We’ve got about four million left to go.” The earthwork is massive, but it’s only part of the story. The location of the current runway limits how much the terminal can grow. Moving the runway further away opens the door to more gates at T2, including more international gates, a critical piece of RDU’s long-term air service growth. Relocating Lumley Road Getting there requires relocating a portion of Lumley Road, which currently sits too close to the end of RDU’s Runway 23R, inside what’s known as the runway protection zone. Construction on the new Lumley Road alignment begins later this year and wraps in summer 2028. From there, crews will remove the old roadway and regrade the area, setting the stage for the new runway’s opening in 2029. Want to learn about the runway replacement project? Read more at TransformRDU.com.

The wheels are moving on major improvements along RDU’s primary roadway. The John Brantley Boulevard extension project is one of four key projects happening as part of Transform RDU, the airport’s ambitious multi-year capital improvement program. We caught up with France Campbell, the Airport Authority’s vice president of facilities asset management, to find out the latest news on the project. View on Instagram A Future-Ready Roadway John Brantley Boulevard circles the airport campus and serves both terminals, making it one of the most critical stretches of road in the Research Triangle. The project will extend and widen the boulevard to handle increased traffic volume, while also adding curb length at Terminal 2. Work Is Already Underway Commuters on John Brantley Boulevard already can observe visible construction. Crews already have begun utility relocation work — rerouting sewer, water, natural gas, power and fiber optic infrastructure. Next Steps Widening and interim curb construction are slated to begin in the summer of 2027 next summer. That’s when vehicle traffic will start to feel the first impacts, such as intermittent lane closures. The long-term payoff: reduced congestion, improved safety and a road network built to support the world-class airport experience Transform RDU is working toward. Keep up with construction progress on this project and others at TransformRDU.com.

One of our most visible Transform RDU projects — the expansion of RDU’s Park Economy 3 lot — is well underway. As we continue to make progress, here’s where things stand with the airport’s largest parking facility. More Spaces on the Way Today, almost half of the planned 10,936 spaces at Park Economy 3 are open and available to customers. Here’s a forecast of what’s ahead: Late summer: approximately 7,500 spaces available Late fall: approximately 8,500 spaces available Spaces will open incrementally as work wraps up in different areas of the lot. A New Customer Amenity Building A brand-new Customer Amenity Building is nearing completion and is expected to be open to the public in late summer.When it does, visitors will find restrooms, vending machines and more. Some Authority staff, including law enforcement and public safety personnel, also will occupy office space at the new amenity building. What’s Being Built and Improved The Economy 3 expansion project isn’t just about adding new parking. RDU is adding experience upgrades, too: Dynamic space count signage is currently in testing and commissioning. Eventually, visitors will be able to find real-time space availability by section upon arrival. The entry plaza has doubled in size to six lanes, making your arrival even smoother. Work is now underway to expand the exit plaza. We’re also adding a second bus loop road to improve traffic flow. Crews are rehabilitating existing portions of the lot to bring everything up to the same standard. Going Solar Park Economy 3 is getting greener, with solar panels being installed across the lot. About one-third of the panels are operational right now and in the testing and commissioning stage. The remaining panels are on track to become operational and enter testing by the end of spring. Stay in-the-know about what’s happening at Park Economy 3 at TransformRDU.com.