North Carolina's Airports: An Overview And Insight

North Carolina is a state in the United States of America that is served by a number of public-use and military airports. These include publicly owned commercial service airports, reliever airports, and general aviation airports. One such airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which offers elevated dining experiences and convenient parking options.

What types of airports are in North Carolina?

North Carolina, a U.S. state, has a variety of airports serving different functions and purposes. The state's airports can be categorized into several groups, including public-use, military, private-use, and former airports.

Public-use airports in North Carolina can be further classified based on their passenger boardings (enplanements) and hub type. Commercial service – primary (CS-P) airports are publicly owned and receive scheduled passenger service, with more than 10,000 passenger boardings annually. These CS-P airports are further categorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into four hub types: large, medium, small, and nonhub. Large hubs account for at least 1% of total U.S. passenger enplanements, while medium hubs fall between 0.25% and 1%. Small hubs represent between 0.05% and 0.25% of total enplanements, and nonhubs have less than 0.05% but still exceed 10,000 annual enplanements.

On the other hand, Commercial service – nonprimary (CS-N) airports are publicly owned and provide scheduled passenger service, but with a minimum of 2,500 passenger boardings each year. Reliever airports, designated by the FAA, aim to reduce congestion at large commercial airports and enhance general aviation access for the community.

North Carolina also has military airports that serve defense and military functions. Additionally, some private-use airports may exist, typically for exclusive purposes, and former airports that were once operational but may no longer be active, such as those with recorded commercial enplanements or assigned IATA airport codes.

The airports in North Carolina cater to various aviation needs, from commercial passenger travel to military operations, contributing to the state's overall transportation infrastructure and connectivity.

Publicly owned airports in North Carolina

North Carolina has 72 publicly owned and publicly operated airports in its Statewide Aviation System. These airports are grouped by type and sorted by location.

Ten of these airports are air carrier airports, providing service to commercial or regularly scheduled airlines, in addition to serving general aviation. The remaining 62 are General Aviation facilities that service private and corporate aviation.

Reliever airports are designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to relieve congestion at large commercial service airports and to provide more general aviation access to the overall community.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

RDU International Airport is the second-busiest airport in North Carolina, after Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airport is a hub for Avelo Airlines and Endeavor Air, and Delta Air Lines has a focus city operation there. In 2024, the airport set a new record by serving 15.5 million passengers, surpassing the previous year's record of 14.5 million.

The airport's history dates back to 1929 when the region's first airport, Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened south of Raleigh. However, this airport soon became too small, and the Raleigh–Durham Aeronautical Authority was established in 1939 to construct and manage a larger airport between Raleigh and Durham. The new Raleigh–Durham Airport commenced operations on May 1, 1943, with Eastern Airlines as its inaugural carrier.

RDU International Airport has two terminals and offers nonstop flights to over 70 destinations. The terminals provide a range of dining and shopping options, showcasing local flavours, as well as advanced technology and services. The airport also offers convenient parking options, although these must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Private-use airports in North Carolina

North Carolina, a U.S. state, is home to 498 airports, a mix of public and private airports. While a comprehensive list of private-use airports in North Carolina is unavailable, notable private airports or those with commercial enplanements recorded by the FAA or an IATA airport code are included in airport lists.

Private-use airports are often located in smaller towns outside of the city they serve. The city associated with the airport is determined by the airport's master record with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Some private-use airports in North Carolina include the following:

• Lake Ridge Aero Park Airport, a privately owned airport in Zebulon, North Carolina, is a small airport with a single runway designated 15/33 and spanning 2,545 feet in length.
• Triple W Airport, a privately owned, public-use airport in the city of Oxford, North Carolina, has one runway designated 14/32 and stretching 3,200 feet in length.
• Lake Tillery Airport, a privately owned airport in Stanly County, North Carolina, features a single runway with the identifier 17/35 and a length of 2,700 feet.

Former airports in North Carolina

North Carolina is a state in the United States that is home to several airports, both public and military. Some former airports in North Carolina include:

Ocracoke Airport

Ocracoke Airport is located in North Carolina and is known for its live webcam, which offers a unique perspective on airport operations.

Triangle North Executive Airport

This airport has been managed by Steve Merritt, an experienced pilot and manager. It hosts an annual fly-in event called "High Flight," attracting aviation enthusiasts from across the region.

Rutherford County Marchman Field

Rutherford County Marchman Field was previously managed by an individual whose "business skills" were criticised, leading to the county taking over management.

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, owned and operated by the City of Concord, is a busy airport with NASCAR customers. While it lacks an on-site restaurant, it offers crew cars and competitive fuel prices.

Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, also known as "The Boneyard of the East," is one of the few airliner salvage yards in the eastern United States. It is a unique aviation facility that serves as a final resting place for aircraft.

These former airports in North Carolina have played a role in the state's aviation history, and some continue to be remembered for their unique characteristics and contributions to the aviation industry.

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