RDU Breaks a Holiday Traffic Record, Prepares for Another Busy Season 

Nearly 1.4 million passengers traveled through RDU in October, an increase of more than nine percent compared to September. The airport capped off the peak summer travel season in September by setting a new record for Labor Day weekend traffic. More than 188,000 travelers chose RDU for their travels from Friday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2, an increase of seven percent over last year. 

“With Thanksgiving quickly approaching and the December and January holidays just around the corner, we are anticipating a busy winter travel season yet at RDU,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “We are thankful for the holiday travelers who choose RDU and look forward to connecting them with the people and places they love most this season.” 

RDU expects a high volume of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, comparable to 2023 traffic, when the airport welcomed more than 400,000 travelers. 

New Dining and Shopping: New restaurant and shopping options are coming to Terminal 1. Italian cafe Puro Gusto will offer quick service dining for foodie flyers, while Natalie’s Candy Jar will provide an assortment of sweet treats. The District, a collaboration with Marshall Retail Group, Airport Retail Group and from local businesses Deco Raleigh and Edge of Urge, will join the shopping scene as a specialty retail store. Convenience retailers Brightleaf and Five Points News & Gift are also planned for Terminal 1 next year. Ten additional new restaurants will open in Terminals 1 and 2 in 2025 as RDU reimagines the airport dining experience.   

Environmental Compliance Review: The Airport Authority is in the beginning stages of an Environmental Compliance Review (ECR) for one of its major capital program projects – the extension of John Brantley Boulevard, the airport roadway that connects RDU’s two terminals. Through the ECR process, staff will conduct an environmental analysis of the John Brantley Boulevard project, seek public comment and develop a report that will be presented to the Board. RDU’s ECR process is the first of its kind among airports nationwide and exceeds federal and state environmental requirements. The ECR process includes two public workshops, the first of which will be held on Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 100 of the RDU Center at 1000 Trade Drive. The workshop is an opportunity for the public to learn about the project and the environmental review process and submit comments. More information about the ECR will be posted at rdu.com. 

International Travel: WestJet will begin nonstop service from RDU to Calgary in the western mountains of Canada next summer.  The Calgary route will fly out of Terminal 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from June 9 through Oct. 13.  WestJet will fly a mix of the Boeing 737-800 NextGen and the Boeing 737-800 MAX with between 174 and 189 seats. Calgary International Airport is a preclearance airport, offering U.S.-bound travelers a faster and more convenient experience by clearing U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff. BermudAir will begin nonstop flights from the Research Triangle region to the Bermuda Triangle in April. The Bermuda route will operate from Terminal 2 on Fridays and Mondays starting April 11, conveniently connecting the two triangles in just over two hours. 

Holiday Travel Tips: The expectation for a busy holiday travel season makes it more important than ever for airport guests to follow some simple tips: 

  • Allow Extra Driving Time: Visitors to RDU should keep in mind that the roads can be particularly congested during the late afternoon and early evening hours.  
  • Book Parking Online: Travelers can book parking at parkrdu.com for guaranteed entry into the deck or lot of their choice. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. If you did not book parking ahead of time, we recommend checking the home page at rdu.com to see which parking options are available before you leave for the airport.  
  • Download the App: Your airline’s mobile app can provide important information about the status of your flight, including departure and arrival times and schedule changes. You can also check the status board at rdu.com to learn if your flight is running on time. RDU recommends checking your flight status before you leave home.  
  • Get There Early: Travelers should allow plenty of time to park, check in and go through security. RDU recommends arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights. Airlines begin boarding 30 – 40 minutes before departure, so start your trip off right by getting to the gate early.  
  • Use the Cell Lot: If you are picking someone up from the airport, use our free Cell Lot to make curbside pickup run smoothly. Follow the signs on campus to the Cell Lot, located at 1000 Trade Drive, then wait for a call or text letting you know your party has arrived. Give them 30 minutes after they get off the plane to pick up their bags and meet you on the curb.  To ease congestion at Terminal 2, you can pick passengers up at the arrivals or departures curb.