RDU Sets Single-day Passenger Traffic Record

The busy holiday season is in full swing at RDU, and the airport is preparing for a final rush of travelers through the beginning of the new year.

“It is a pleasure to help bring families and friends together during the holiday season,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “We appreciate everyone who is making RDU part of their plans, and we wish them safe travels.”

RDU set a single-day record for passenger traffic on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with TSA screening more than 33,000 travelers on Nov. 30. Traffic was up more than three percent overall for the holiday weekend. Nearly 192,000 guests passed through security checkpoints from Tuesday, Nov. 25 through Monday, Dec. 1.

New Destinations: Breeze Airways will launch four new destinations from RDU next spring and summer. The airline will begin nonstop service Stewart, New York, and seasonal flights to Bangor, Maine, in May. Seasonal service to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, and Vero Beach, Florida, will begin in August. Frontier Airlines is also expanding at RDU, with nonstop flights to Cancun, Mexico, beginning in March and to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in April.

Park Economy 4 Closing: The ParkRDU Economy 4 lot near I-540 and U.S. 70 will permanently close to airport guests on Jan. 2 and convert to employee-only parking.

Guests will continue to have multiple options for convenient, on-airport parking that meet a variety of preferences and budgets, including:

  • ParkRDU Premier: Located on the ground level of the parking garage between Terminals 1 and 2, Premier provides direct walking access to both terminals and features dedicated covered spaces.
  • ParkRDU Central: Offers covered and outdoor spaces in the parking garage and is within easy walking distance of Terminals 1 and 2.
  • ParkRDU Express: A convenient option for families or travelers with extra luggage. The lot on International Drive offers a short, comfortable shuttle ride from your vehicle to the terminals with luggage assistance and free bottled water.
  • ParkRDU Economy 3: Has the lowest daily rates at RDU and offers free 24/7 shuttle service to the terminals every 20 minutes. The lot is located near the intersection of Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive.

RDU recommends guests book parking at least 24 hours in advance at parkrdu.com to help make their holiday travels run smoothly. Making an online reservation guarantees you entry into the parking garage or lot of your choice.

Terminal 2 Construction: Travelers will begin to see the impacts of construction at Terminal 2 in early 2026. In January, crews will install a temporary wall in the north end of the terminal as part of a project to expand the ticketing hall and international arrivals areas, add more security checkpoint lanes and upgrade the baggage claim system. All ticket counters and security checkpoint lanes in Terminal 2 will remain open during construction. The expansion project is estimated to be completed in 2032. Learn more about how RDU’s capital program will shape the future of the airport at TransformRDU.com.

U.S. Customs Relocation: As part of the Terminal 2 expansion, the public entrance to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office relocated from the lower-level curb to the upstairs ticketing area of Terminal 2 on Dec. 1. The directory map on RDU.com has been updated to help guests find the new entrance.

New Dining Options: RDU welcomed new restaurants to Terminals 1 and 2 just in time to serve holiday travelers. Bobby’s Burgers is a concept from celebrity chef Bobby Flay that celebrates the Food Network star’s love of the grill. It is known for its burgers but also serves up buttermilk onion rings and spoon-bending milkshakes. Bobby’s Burgers is located at Gate C18.

Raleigh Beer Garden, a popular concept with local ties, brought its three-time Guinness Award-winning experience to Gate A4 in Terminal 1 this month. It offers a laid-back vibe with pub food and a full bar with more than 30 beers on tap. Raleigh Beer Garden and Bobby’s Burgers are among more than a dozen concepts opening through 2026 as RDU reimagines the airport dining scene.