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.

RDU recorded two of the busiest days in airport history in May as Mother’s Day and college graduations brought a total of over 220,000 passengers to the region. More than 32,000 travelers passed through security checkpoints on both Sunday, May 10 and Monday, May 11 – making them the second and fourth single busiest days on record. “The strong spring travel numbers reflect how many people are choosing RDU for their journeys,” said Tammie Hall‑Roberts, Chair of the Raleigh‑Durham Airport Authority Board. “We are grateful for the travelers who continue to make RDU part of their plans, and we remain focused on ensuring a welcoming experience for all.” New Breeze routes: Breeze Airways continues to offer new options for travelers in the Triangle, with seven new routes launching in May and June. The new destinations are Bangor, Maine; Stewart-Newburgh, New York; Vero Beach, Florida; Madison, Wisconsin; San Antonio, Texas; Orange County, California; and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Breeze now serves 40 destinations at RDU — more than any other airline. Park Economy 3: One of the Airport Authority’s most visible Transform RDU projects — the expansion of the Park Economy 3 lot — is well underway. Almost half of the nearly 11,000 planned spaces are now open and available to customers. More spaces will come online this spring and fall. A brand-new Customer Amenity Building featuring restrooms and vending options is nearing completion and is expected to open in late summer. Park Economy 3 is also getting greener, with solar panels being installed across the lot. You can stay in-the-know about the Park Economy 3 expansion and other capital projects at TransformRDU.com.

RDU now offers an easier way to pay for parking. Airport guests can save time by using a new Parking Mobile Pay option to pay by phone before they leave the parking lot or garage. “Our goal at RDU is to make every step of the airport experience run smoothly,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, Chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “Offering pay-by-phone technology helps provide guests with a seamless journey from arrival to departure.” No app is required – just scan the QR code on the ticket and use Apple Pay, Google Pay or a credit card to pay. Once payment is made, they’ll have 30 minutes to exit. When guests approach the exit, the gate will automatically open. There are also options to pay at the exit lane stations or pay-on-foot kiosks. Terminal 2 Expansion: Travelers may notice something different when they’re flying through Terminal 2. A new Transform RDU construction wall now spans the full north end of the ticketing hall, replacing a temporary barrier that was put in place in January. Behind the wall, crews are working to expand the terminal. This phase of the expansion – one of the major projects in the 10-year, $2.5 billion Transform RDU capital program – will provide space for more ticketing counters, a larger international arrivals area and additional baggage carousels necessary to accommodate growth. The wall will be up for approximately two years during this phase of the project. Learn more about all of the major construction projects that will transform the airport over the next decade at TransformRDU.com. Adios! Restaurant Opens: RDU welcomed another new dining concept when Adios! by Durham chef Oscar Diaz began serving passengers at Gate C17 in Terminal 2. Adios! is a lively restaurant and bar spotlighting Mexican food with a Southern twist. Guests can also choose from signature cocktails crafted with fresh citrus, as well as extensive beer and curated wine selections. Diaz operates a growing collection of restaurants in the Triangle region, and travelers may recognize him as a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef competition. Aer Lingus Launch: The inaugural Aer Lingus flight from Dublin, Ireland, landed at RDU in April, bringing one of the region’s most sought-after international destinations closer to home. The nonstop Aer Lingus service offers a quick and convenient journey and options to connect to destinations across Europe. The new route also offers UNC-Chapel Hill football fans an easy way to fly to Dublin in August for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, where the Tar Heels will take on the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.

The inaugural Aer Lingus flight between RDU and Dublin, Ireland, launched Monday amid fanfare and enthusiasm from travelers and the region’s Irish-American community. “Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations for Research Triangle-area travelers, and the nonstop Aer Lingus service makes for a quick and convenient journey,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, Chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “RDU is proud to welcome an exciting new route that connects our community to new adventures and business opportunities in Ireland and beyond.” Nonstop flights will operate five times a week on a 184-seat Airbus 321XLR. The new route also offers football fans an easy option for traveling to the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin featuring UNC-Chapel Hill this August. Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive Officer, Aer Lingus, said: “Our new route creates a direct connection between Ireland and the Raleigh-Durham region for the first time, making it even easier for customers to travel to Dublin and onwards to destinations across the UK and Europe. The Raleigh-Durham region is a hub for technology, innovation and research, and this additional connectivity to that region will allow the business and educational ties on both sides of the Atlantic to flourish. Launching ahead of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic makes this service especially timely, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming UNC fans to Ireland this August as the Tar Heels take to the field at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.” Dublin joins London, Paris, Frankfurt and Iceland as RDU’s record fifth transatlantic destination. Aer Lingus offers connections from Dublin to England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board has approved a combined budget of more than $514 million for the fiscal year beginning April 1. The budget dedicates $155 million to operating expenses and $325 million to capital projects. RDU is experiencing record demand and continued growth in passenger traffic, with forecasts approaching over 16 million passengers annually. The budget prioritizes infrastructure investments that expand capacity while maintaining operational excellence. “The budget approved by the Board invests in improving the journey for airport guests,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, Chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “It positions RDU for future growth while allowing us to continue delivering a world-class airport experience today.” The operating and capital budgets and the 2026-27 Business Plan are available at rdu.com/financials/.

RDU celebrated the grand opening of new restaurants and shops in Terminal 1 on Feb. 19. The concepts that are reimagining the airport dining and shopping scene are: Newly refreshed ACC Café: A full-service restaurant broadcasting current and classic ACC games (Gate A7).Brightleaf News & Gift: Provides travelers with the charm of Durham’s Brightleaf District (Gate A4). Five Points News & Gift: Inspired by Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood (Gate A7).Natalie’s Candy Jar: Serving new and nostalgic sweet treats (Gate A6).The District by Root & Branch: A go-to spot for supporting locally crafted goods (Gate A7).Puro Gusto: An all-day Italian-inspired eatery (Gate A6).Raleigh Beer Garden: A local pub with a Guinness Award-winning experience (Gate A4). Terminal 2 welcomed a new restaurant in January when Cary-based Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar opened at Gate D3. Visit rdu.com for a full lineup of concessionaires serving travelers at RDU. New Nonstop Routes: Breeze Airways will expand its network of nonstop destinations from RDU by adding new domestic and international routes. Breeze will begin flying to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in March. In May, the airline will launch service to Bangor, Maine; Stewart, New York; Vero Beach, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Orange County, California. Breeze will also launch nonstop service to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in June. Transform RDU: The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority will invest $2.5 billion over the next 10 years to make the Triangle’s airport even better. A new video shows the transformation from every angle as we build a new runway, more parking, a bigger terminal and a better roadway. You can learn more about RDU’s capital program at TransformRDU.com.

RDU soared in 2025, serving a projected 15.5 million passengers, welcoming new airlines, adding more nonstop destinations and offering more options than ever before for high-flying adventures. Even bigger changes are on the horizon. In 2026, the airport will accelerate major construction projects that set the stage for an elevated travel experience in years to come. Explore RDU’s 2025 milestones and get a look at what’s coming next.