Exploring Ownership: Raleigh-Durham Airport's Story

who owns the raleigh durham airport

Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939. The board is made up of two representatives from each of the following: the City of Durham, Durham County, the City of Raleigh, and Wake County. The Airport Authority is a local government body responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of the airport. RDU is located in Wake County, North Carolina and serves as the main airport for Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina.

Characteristics Values
Governing Body Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Governing Body Type Local government
Governing Body Formation 1939
Governing Body Members 8
Governing Body Appointed By The cities of Durham and Raleigh, and Durham and Wake counties
Location Wake County, North Carolina
Year Opened 1943
Area 5,000 acres
Number of Runways 3
Passenger Traffic Ranking 35th in the US (as of 2025)
Number of Destinations Nearly 80, including 14 international destinations
Busiest Route Atlanta
Busiest Area New York metropolitan area
Largest Market Share Delta Air Lines
Most Destinations Breeze Airways (28)

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The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority governs the airport

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, which consists of an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1939 as the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority, with its name changing to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in 1945. The cities of Durham and Raleigh, along with Durham and Wake counties, each appoint two members to the board.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of the airport. They have played a central role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region, with the airport serving as its main gateway. The Authority has made significant investments in the airport's infrastructure, including the renovation and expansion of Terminal C, the development of a new general aviation complex, and the addition of new services and carriers.

The board of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority meets monthly and is composed of representatives from the counties and cities of Wake and Durham, including attorneys, managers in county human services, and members with expertise in communications and broadcasting. The board members bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to their communities, ensuring the airport's efficient operation and development.

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The Airport Authority was established by the NC General Assembly in 1939

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the North Carolina (NC) General Assembly in 1939, under the name Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority. The body was renamed the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in 1945.

The NC General Assembly established the Airport Authority to develop, operate and maintain the airport. The Authority is responsible for the airport's facilities and operations and is controlled by a board of representatives from Wake and Durham counties, and the cities of Raleigh and Durham. Each of these local government areas appoints two members to the board.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has played a central role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region. The airport itself is located in Wake County, North Carolina, and serves the Research Triangle Metropolitan Region of North Carolina. It is the second-largest airport in the state of North Carolina.

The region's first airport, Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened in 1929, south of Raleigh. However, this was quickly outgrown, and the larger Raleigh-Durham Airport was built between Raleigh and Durham. It opened on May 1, 1943, with flights by Eastern Airlines.

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The Airport Authority is made up of eight representatives

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board governs the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The Airport Authority is made up of eight representatives, with two members each from the City of Durham, Durham County, the City of Raleigh, and Wake County. The cities and counties appoint their own members to the board. The board members are typically local government officials or legal professionals with strong ties to their communities.

For example, Tammie Hall-Roberts, a Durham County representative, is an Assistant County Manager for Durham County. She previously led the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses and served as a US Congressional staffer and policy advisor. Another board member, Yesenia Polanco-Galdamez, is the Principal Attorney at Polanco Law, P.C. in Durham, specializing in criminal defense, immigration law, and family law.

Shelley Winters, a Raleigh representative, is a manager in Wake County Human Services and a lifelong resident of Raleigh, with deep roots in the community. Nana Asante-Smith, a Wake County representative, is an attorney at Parker Poe, focusing on business litigation and internal investigations. She previously served as a Wake County Assistant District Attorney and is dedicated to serving her community.

The board members bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to their communities, ensuring the effective governance and operation of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

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The cities of Raleigh and Durham each appoint two members to the board

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939 as the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority, and its name was changed in 1945. The cities of Raleigh and Durham each appoint two members to the board, and so do Durham and Wake counties. The board is responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of the airport.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board is in charge of the airport facilities and operations. The board meets monthly, on the third Thursday. The board members are appointed by the City Council and must live within the corporate city limits and serve without compensation.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has played a central role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region. The airport covers 5,000 acres and has three runways. It serves as the main airport for Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. It is located in unincorporated Wake County and is the second-largest airport in the state.

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The board is responsible for the airport's development, operation and maintenance

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The board is responsible for the airport's development, operation, and maintenance. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939 as the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority, with its name changing to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in 1945. The cities of Durham and Raleigh, along with Durham and Wake counties, each appoint two members to the board.

The board meets monthly and makes decisions regarding the airport's facilities and operations. Over the years, the board has played a significant role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region. For example, in 2003, the board approved the dedication of the Triangle Icon, a sculpture symbolising the gateway to the region, and the development of a new General Aviation Terminal.

The board has also played a role in enhancing the airport's infrastructure. In 2003, they voted to renovate Terminal C, and in 2006, they approved plans to completely redevelop it into a new terminal. The board has also overseen the addition of new services and carriers at RDU, with Delta Air Lines maintaining a focus city operation and Avelo Airlines announcing the opening of an operating base at the airport in recent years.

The current board members include Tammie Hall-Roberts, an Assistant County Manager for Durham County with a background in public service; Yesenia Polanco-Galdamez, a Principal Attorney at a law firm specialising in criminal defence and immigration law; Shelley Winters, a public servant and longtime resident of Raleigh with experience in county government; and Szlosberg-Landis, a retired communications professional with over 25 years of experience in broadcasting and media production.

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Frequently asked questions

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939.

The cities of Durham and Raleigh along with Durham and Wake counties each appoint two members to the board.

The Airport Authority is a local government responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of the airport.

The Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority was chartered in 1939 to build and operate an airport between Raleigh and Durham. The airport opened on May 1, 1943, with flights by Eastern Airlines. It has since expanded and now offers passenger service to nearly 80 destinations, including international destinations.

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