Recruiting new air service is like a running a marathon. It takes a long time, a steady pace and a healthy dose of patience to attract an airline to establish or expand service at your airport. And, in this marathon, I just completed a very distant leg of the race. 

In April, we opened Terminal 1, which was the last major piece of our decades-long facility improvement program. Now, we’re shifting our focus to maintaining and enhancing the world-class facilities and programs that you enjoy at RDU. 

Being more than two hours from the coast doesn’t mean that we’re out of reach from hurricanes. The infamous hurricanes Hazel and Fran along with Bonnie, Ernesto, Floyd and a few others have also paid the Research Triangle Region a visit.   

Summer is the season when our terminals are bustling with vacation travelers. Suits and ties give way to a sea of flip-flops, strollers and casual attire. Some are heading to U.S. destinations, but many are flying internationally. Regardless, along the way, travelers are sure to spot an airport staple: the duty-free, duty-paid shop.