Owais Crawford
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is an international airport that serves Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. The airport covers 5,000 acres and has three runways, with two terminals and a total of 45 gates. While RDU is a busy airport, ranking 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US as of 2025, offering service to nearly 80 destinations, there may be periods when the airport experiences lower passenger traffic and appears less busy. Factors such as seasonality, flight cancellations, and the impact of events like the COVID-19 pandemic can influence the level of activity at the airport.
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What You'll Learn
RDU ranks 35th for passenger arrivals/departures in the US
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is the main airport serving Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. As of 2025, RDU ranks 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US. This ranking is based on passenger traffic data and the number of destinations served by the airport. RDU offers passenger service to nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries. The airport serves 31 US states, plus Puerto Rico, and has around 600 daily aircraft operations.
RDU has experienced growth and expansion in recent years, recovering from a decrease in passenger traffic in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, 2.7 million passengers traveled through RDU, and since then, the airport has added new carriers and destinations. RDU's post-hub years have brought new carriers, notably discount carriers such as Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. The airport has also expanded its international flight offerings, with airlines such as Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Icelandair adding new nonstop services to destinations like Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Reykjavík–Keflavík.
In June 2023, the Airport Authority Board approved plans for the expansion of Terminal 1 to accommodate future growth, as RDU reached new passenger traffic records. The airport is also planning to expand its customs and border patrol center to handle the increase in international flights. This includes the addition of new international routes, such as Mexico City via Aeroméxico Connect, Panama City–Tocumen via Copa Airlines, and Frankfurt via Lufthansa. In 2025, RDU saw its largest international expansion, with new services to Toronto, Vancouver, Montego Bay, Nassau, and Punta Cana, among other destinations.
RDU's ranking as 35th for passenger arrivals and departures in the US can be attributed to its role as a major airport serving the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. The airport has expanded its carriers, destinations, and facilities to accommodate growing passenger traffic. RDU's expansion plans and increasing international flight offerings contribute to its ranking and reflect the airport's efforts to meet the demand for air travel in the region.
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RDU is the 38th busiest US airport by international passenger traffic
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is an international airport that serves Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. It is located in unincorporated Wake County and covers 5,000 acres of land. As of 2025, RDU ranks 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US, serving nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries.
RDU was the 38th busiest US airport by international passenger traffic in 2023. In 2024, the airport served a record 15.5 million passengers, breaking its previous record of 14.5 million passengers set in 2023. This increase in passenger traffic has prompted the airport to plan an expansion of its customs and border patrol centre to accommodate the rise in international flights.
RDU's growth in passenger traffic can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the airport has expanded its international flight offerings, with airlines such as Avelo Airlines launching new nonstop services to destinations like Montego Bay, Jamaica. Additionally, the addition of new carriers, such as discount carriers Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, has contributed to the increase in passenger traffic.
Furthermore, RDU has experienced growth in passenger traffic due to its ability to retain carriers during challenging times. For example, Delta Air Lines maintained its focus city operation at RDU during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the area's strong economy and the lack of a dominant network carrier. This decision by Delta, along with the overall growth and recovery of the aviation industry, has positively impacted RDU's passenger numbers.
In summary, Raleigh–Durham International Airport's ranking as the 38th busiest US airport by international passenger traffic in 2023 is a result of its expanding international flight offerings, the introduction of new carriers, and its resilience in retaining carriers during difficult periods. With ongoing expansion plans and increasing passenger records, RDU is poised to continue its growth and rise in the rankings of US airports by passenger traffic.
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RDU has fewer international flights than other airports
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) offers passenger service to nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries. While RDU is a busy airport, ranking 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US as of 2025, it has relatively fewer international flights compared to other airports.
The number of international destinations served by RDU is lower than that of many other major airports. For example, in 2025, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) offered flights to over 225 international destinations, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) served over 200 international destinations.
There are several reasons why RDU has fewer international flights. Firstly, RDU primarily serves Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. The demand for international travel from this region may be lower compared to larger metropolitan areas, resulting in fewer international flight options.
Additionally, RDU's expansion and growth in international flights have been gradual. In 2016, the airport restarted Paris service with Delta, and in 2022, Icelandair began serving Reykjavík–Keflavík. In 2024, there was a significant expansion, with new services to Mexico City, Panama City–Tocumen, and Frankfurt. The largest international expansion occurred in 2025, with new routes to Canadian and Caribbean destinations. While RDU is expanding its international flight offerings, it may take time to catch up with more established international hubs.
Furthermore, RDU has been focused on recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted travel worldwide. In 2020, all international flights from RDU were cancelled due to the pandemic. The airport has since restarted international operations, but it is still in the process of rebuilding its network of international carriers and destinations.
To accommodate the increasing international travel demand, RDU is planning to expand its customs and border patrol center. This expansion will enable the airport to handle more international flights and passengers, potentially leading to an increase in the number of international destinations served in the future.
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RDU is catching up from the impact of COVID-19
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, ranking 35th in passenger arrivals and departures as of 2025. However, the airport is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant disruption to its operations.
In 2020, all international flights from RDU were cancelled due to the pandemic, and the airport saw a significant decrease in passenger traffic. This led to the closure of several eateries and bars within the airport, and the remaining ones have been struggling to keep up with the demand, resulting in long lines, especially during peak hours. RDU is working to address this issue, with plans to open additional food and beverage options by the end of the year to reduce congestion and improve the overall passenger experience.
The airport has also been expanding its international flight offerings, with new carriers and destinations added in recent years. In 2022, RDU resumed international flights to Heathrow and Paris, and added a new service to Reykjavík–Keflavík. This was followed by further expansion in 2023 and 2024, with new services to destinations in Mexico, Panama, Germany, and Canada. These expansions have contributed to the airport's recovery and increasing passenger traffic.
To accommodate this growth, RDU is planning to expand Terminal 1 and its customs and border patrol center. A new runway is also under construction to enhance the airport's capacity and efficiency. These developments will enable RDU to handle more passengers and flights, improving its ranking among US airports.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, RDU is actively working to recover and enhance its operations. With the expansion of its terminals, runways, and international flight offerings, the airport is well-positioned to serve more passengers and destinations, making it a key transportation hub for the region.
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RDU is expanding its terminals and runways
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is expanding its terminals and runways to accommodate growing passenger traffic and an increasing number of destinations.
RDU set a record for passenger traffic in 2023, ranking 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US as of 2025. The airport serves nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries, and has seen the addition of new carriers and routes in recent years. This growth has driven the need for expansion to accommodate future demand.
RDU's Vision 2040 Master Plan outlines a roadmap for major construction projects, including the expansion of terminals and runways. The plan was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2017 and is guided by passenger demand. As part of this plan, RDU is expanding Terminal 2 to add more ticket counters, baggage carousels, and security checkpoints. The expansion will also include the addition of new gates, with plans to increase the number of gates in Terminal 2 from 33 to 53 by 2050. The airport is also planning to expand its customs and border patrol center to accommodate the increase in international flights.
In addition to terminal expansions, RDU is also expanding its runways. A new runway, 05L/23R, is currently under construction north of the current runway. The existing runway 5L/23R will become a taxiway for the new runway. The new runway will be 10,639 feet long and is anticipated to be completed in five years.
RDU is also expanding its parking facilities to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The expansion of Park Economy 3 will add approximately 8,700 additional spaces and a Customer Amenity Building. The airport is also planning to develop the General Aviation Corporate Campus to support the future growth of general aviation. These expansions and improvements are part of RDU's commitment to enhancing the airport experience and accommodating future growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in an unincorporated area of Wake County, North Carolina, serving Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region. While the airport does experience busy periods, particularly during the summer, it is not one of the busiest airports in the US, ranking 35th in passenger arrivals and departures as of 2025.
RDU Airport offers passenger service to nearly 80 destinations, including 14 international destinations in 10 countries as of 2025. In 2023, it was the 38th busiest US airport by international passenger traffic.
The busyness of RDU Airport can vary depending on the time of year, with summer being the busiest season. The airport also experienced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with several eateries closing and a subsequent increase in business in the remaining restaurants and coffee shops.
