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North Carolina, a U.S. state, is served by 498 airports, including both public and private aviation facilities. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is one of the notable airports in the state. Piedmont Triad Airport is another airport in North Carolina, serving the Piedmont Triad Region and its cities, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point.
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What You'll Learn
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
As of 2025, Raleigh-Durham International Airport ranks 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US, offering passenger service to nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries. The airport serves 31 U.S. states, plus Puerto Rico, with Atlanta being the busiest domestic route, and the New York metropolitan area seeing the most passengers per day.
The history of Raleigh-Durham International Airport dates back to 1929, when the region's first airport, Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened south of Raleigh. This airport was quickly outgrown, and in 1939, the North Carolina General Assembly chartered the Raleigh–Durham Aeronautical Authority to build and operate a larger airport between Raleigh and Durham. The new Raleigh-Durham Airport opened on May 1, 1943, with flights by Eastern Airlines. After World War II, Capital Airlines joined Eastern at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Piedmont Airlines arrived in 1948.
Today, Delta Air Lines has the largest market share at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Breeze Airways flies to the most destinations with 28. Avelo Airlines and Endeavor Air also operate bases at the airport.
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Piedmont Triad Airport
Piedmont Triad International Airport (IATA: GSO, ICAO: KGSO, FAA LID: GSO; commonly referred to locally as "PTI") is located in unincorporated Guilford County, North Carolina, west of Greensboro. The airport serves the Piedmont Triad region of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem in North Carolina, United States. Piedmont Triad International Airport is situated just off Bryan Boulevard on a 3,770-acre (1,526-hectare) campus and features three runways. The airport is ranked as the third busiest in North Carolina in terms of aircraft movements, with an average of 280 takeoffs and landings each day. As of 2025, GSO ranks 103rd in passenger arrivals and departures in the US, providing passenger service to 14 domestic destinations. The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority is in charge of the airport's ownership and operation.
The Piedmont Triad International Airport's history can be traced back to 1927 when the Tri-City Airport Commission selected 112 acres of land near the community of Friendship for an airport. The field was named Lindley Field in May 1927, and Charles Lindbergh visited it with the Spirit of St. Louis during his cross-country tour celebrating aviation achievements. Maynard Field, a precursor to PTI Airport and one of the earliest commercial airports in the South, was inaugurated in December 1919 just west of Greensboro near Oak Ridge. By 1922, two other airports, Miller Field in Winston-Salem and Charles Field, a single airstrip primarily used for barnstorming and flight drills, provided competition.
The terminal complex at Piedmont Triad International Airport was finished in 1982, and the terminal building presently has 26 passenger gates: 14 on the north concourse and 12 on the south concourse. A $5 million expansion in 2006 added another 40,000 square feet (3,700 square metres) to the terminal, with a significant portion of this space dedicated to establishing permanent security checkpoints. The top floor of the terminal includes ticketing, security, boarding, and concession areas, while the bottom floor houses baggage claim and ground transportation.
In 1998, FedEx Corporation announced plans to construct a mid-Atlantic hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport, making it one of only five FedEx hubs in the country. The project also included building a parallel 9,000-foot runway. American Eagle announced non-stop service to Chicago–O'Hare International Airport in July 2017, and Spirit Airlines introduced service to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa in September 2018.
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Public vs. private airports
There are 498 airports in North Carolina, 391 of which are private-use, and 107 are public-use. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is one of the public-use airports in North Carolina.
Public airports are owned and operated by the government, usually through a ministry, such as transport or infrastructure. They are open to the public at any time, and anyone can use them. The city has to allow any reasonable use of the airport, although it can charge reasonable fees for certain services. Public airports are funded by the government and are considered a strategic asset. However, investments in public airports are often influenced by political cycles rather than technical or financial considerations.
Private airports, on the other hand, are owned and funded by private entities or individuals. They are considered private property, and while they may be open to the public, they often have restrictions in place. Landing at a private airport without prior permission is considered trespassing, and both the FAA and local law enforcement may intervene. Private airports do not receive public funding and are maintained by their owners.
There are various models for developing airports that involve different levels of public and private sector involvement. One example is corporatization, where an independent entity is responsible for planning and operating an airport while maintaining public ownership. Another model is the public-private partnership (PPP) or concession, where the private sector takes on the most risk and is responsible for planning, financing, executing, and operating the airport.
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IATA codes and location indicators
IATA codes are three-letter codes assigned by the International Air Transport Association to identify a location, such as an airport. These codes are used to identify airports worldwide and are often used together with location indicators assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In North Carolina, there are 498 airports, 391 of which are private, and 107 are public. Airports in North Carolina with IATA codes include Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), and Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV), to name a few.
The IATA codes are essential for various purposes, including identifying passenger and cargo traffic documents and processing accounting transactions. They are also used to assign baggage tag issuer codes, which, combined with the tag serial number, help identify each piece of checked luggage during baggage handling.
Airlines and other eligible entities can apply for unique IATA codes through the IATA Customer Portal. The process involves reviewing eligibility requirements and submitting applications through the designated IATA Codes page.
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Commercial service airports
North Carolina, a US state, is home to 498 airports, 391 of which are private, and 107 are public. The state has several commercial service airports, including:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located in the heart of North Carolina, serving Raleigh and Durham and the surrounding areas. The airport offers elevated dining and technology experiences and provides easy access to job opportunities with the Airport Authority and tenant partners.
Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI)
Piedmont Triad Airport serves the Piedmont Triad Region, including the cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. It is located about 15 kilometres west of Greensboro. Seven airlines operate at the airport, with Atlanta and Charlotte as the most connected airports. Passengers can easily travel to the cities the airport serves via the Piedmont Triad Wide bus service, shuttles, or taxis.
Other Commercial Airports
While the above two airports are highlighted due to their prominence, North Carolina has several other commercial airports, including those with IATA codes ILM and ECP. These airports cater to a range of passenger needs and provide connections to various destinations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 498 airports in North Carolina, 391 of which are private, and 107 are public.
Piedmont Triad Airport is located about 15 km west of Greensboro and serves the cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. Seven airlines operate at the airport, and Atlanta and Charlotte are the most well-connected airports to this region.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the international airport serving Raleigh, North Carolina.
