RDU has reached another major milestone in the expansion of Terminal 2. Construction crews will soon begin removing the north window wall of the terminal, an important step in expanding the building. The larger Terminal 2 will provide more space for ticketing, security screening, baggage claim and international arrivals. Construction noise may be heard in portions of the terminal during this phase of the work, but there will be no impact on travel. We appreciate passengers’ patience as we transform RDU to accommodate growth and improve the travel experience. Learn more about our capital program at TransformRDU.com.

RDU celebrated the five newest dining concepts in Terminal 2, marking nearly 20 new dining and shopping options that have opened at the airport since 2024. “We are delighted to welcome restaurants that showcase vibrant new flavors and the hospitality of our region,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “Whether travelers are looking for a quick bite before their flight or a place to sit down and enjoy a meal, these new concepts offer experiences to fit every journey.” The latest additions to the Terminal 2 dining scene are: Adios! by Oscar Diaz: Mexican flavors with a southern twist from the Durham Top Chef contestant (Gate C17). Bobby’s Burgers: Celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s signature grill-crafted burgers and milkshakes (Gate C18).Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar: The Cary-based brewery’s award-winning local brews and southern favorites (Gate D3). Conniption Cocktails & Cuisine: Handcrafted cocktails and locally-inspired small plates from Durham Distillery (Gate D8). Half Moon Empanadas: Fresh, artisanal sweet and savory empanadas (Gate C3). Visit rdu.com for a full list of the airport’s dining and shopping options.

RDU will add two new international destinations to its route map in December when BermudAir launches nonstop flights to Belize and Turks and Caicos. “We are excited to welcome new BermudAir routes that give our region even more opportunities for Caribbean getaways,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “The nonstop options will allow passengers to spend less time traveling and more time enjoying their trip.” The Belize and Turks and Caicos routes will operate seasonally from Dec. 20, 2026 – May 2, 2027. Twice-weekly service will fly to both destinations on Thursdays and Sundays on an Embraer 190. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 5. “We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Our customers are ranking us with industry-leading satisfaction scores. Together with Bermuda, we now connect U.S. travelers to some of the region’s most exceptional and sought-after island destinations.” With the addition of the BermudAir flights, RDU will offer 89 nonstop domestic and international destinations on 18 airlines.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s main commercial runway is reaching the end of its lifespan. Built 40 years ago, it’s now due for replacement, and the airport is deep into the work required to make that happen. Today, we’re going behind-the-scenes with Bill Sandifer, executive vice president and chief development officer, to check in on RDU’s largest construction project in the airport’s history. View on Instagram Moving Lots — and Lots — of Dirt Before a new runway can be paved, crews must move and plane more than two miles of terrain. “Where we sit here today is, we’re on the cusp of about a million cubic yards being moved,” Sandifer said. “We’ve got about four million left to go.” The earthwork is massive, but it’s only part of the story. The location of the current runway limits how much the terminal can grow. Moving the runway further away opens the door to more gates at T2, including more international gates, a critical piece of RDU’s long-term air service growth. Relocating Lumley Road Getting there requires relocating a portion of Lumley Road, which currently sits too close to the end of RDU’s Runway 23R, inside what’s known as the runway protection zone. Construction on the new Lumley Road alignment begins later this year and wraps in summer 2028. From there, crews will remove the old roadway and regrade the area, setting the stage for the new runway’s opening in 2029. Want to learn about the runway replacement project? Read more at TransformRDU.com.

The wheels are moving on major improvements along RDU’s primary roadway. The John Brantley Boulevard extension project is one of four key projects happening as part of Transform RDU, the airport’s ambitious multi-year capital improvement program. We caught up with France Campbell, the Airport Authority’s vice president of facilities asset management, to find out the latest news on the project. View on Instagram A Future-Ready Roadway John Brantley Boulevard circles the airport campus and serves both terminals, making it one of the most critical stretches of road in the Research Triangle. The project will extend and widen the boulevard to handle increased traffic volume, while also adding curb length at Terminal 2. Work Is Already Underway Commuters on John Brantley Boulevard already can observe visible construction. Crews already have begun utility relocation work — rerouting sewer, water, natural gas, power and fiber optic infrastructure. Next Steps Widening and interim curb construction are slated to begin in the summer of 2027 next summer. That’s when vehicle traffic will start to feel the first impacts, such as intermittent lane closures. The long-term payoff: reduced congestion, improved safety and a road network built to support the world-class airport experience Transform RDU is working toward. Keep up with construction progress on this project and others at TransformRDU.com.

One of our most visible Transform RDU projects — the expansion of RDU’s Park Economy 3 lot — is well underway. As we continue to make progress, here’s where things stand with the airport’s largest parking facility. More Spaces on the Way Today, almost half of the planned 10,936 spaces at Park Economy 3 are open and available to customers. Here’s a forecast of what’s ahead: Late summer: approximately 7,500 spaces availableLate fall: approximately 8,500 spaces available Spaces will open incrementally as work wraps up in different areas of the lot. A New Customer Amenity Building A brand-new Customer Amenity Building is nearing completion and is expected to be open to the public in late summer.When it does, visitors will find restrooms, vending machines and more. Some Authority staff, including law enforcement and public safety personnel, also will occupy office space at the new amenity building. What’s Being Built and Improved The Economy 3 expansion project isn’t just about adding new parking. RDU is adding experience upgrades, too: Dynamic space count signage is currently in testing and commissioning. Eventually, visitors will be able to find real-time space availability by section upon arrival.The entry plaza has doubled in size to six lanes, making your arrival even smoother.Work is now underway to expand the exit plaza. We’re also adding a second bus loop road to improve traffic flow.Crews are rehabilitating existing portions of the lot to bring everything up to the same standard. Going Solar Park Economy 3 is getting greener, with solar panels being installed across the lot. About one-third of the panels are operational right now and in the testing and commissioning stage. The remaining panels are on track to become operational and enter testing by the end of spring. Stay in-the-know about what’s happening at Park Economy 3 at TransformRDU.com.