The Research Triangle is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Nearly 2.4 million people call the area home, and the population has boomed nearly 5.6% since 2020. A region of this size needs a modern, high-capacity airport, and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is doing something about it.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in its current state is far from “bad.” The airport itself has two modern terminals, the latter of which was built as recently as 2008. The field also boasts three runways, one of which is readily equipped to handle larger aircraft capable of transatlantic flights. According to the Airport Authority, 15.5 million people travelled through its terminals in 2024, a record for the airport.
With new passenger records being set year after year, the airport is taking steps to adapt to its growth. They call it Vision 2040, a master plan to reform the overall travel experience for people in the Triangle. For starters, the larger, newer Terminal 2 is being expanded. Although still in its planning stage, the larger terminal will bring along more gates, passenger amenities, and quality of life changes in order to improve capacity…