Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read June 2023 — In the midst of a strong year in passenger traffic, Delta has announced new routes out of a busy Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Delta Airlines, the airport’s busiest carrier, recently announced the return of nonstop flights to Cincinnati and winter flights to Cancun, Mexico. These routes have not been served since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cincinnati route resumes in September with daily flights departing at 7AM, while the Cancun service, a seasonal offering, will run weekly on Saturdays from Dec. 16 through April 6, 2024.
This announcement follows the airport’s expansion reported back in April of 2023, with the addition of four new airlines and 20 new destinations. Avelo Airlines launched nonstop service to Melbourne on Florida’s Space Coast, Wilmington, Delaware and the Philadelphia region, while Breeze Airways introduced a nonstop route from RDU to Islip on Long Island, New York. Frontier Airlines expanded its flight schedule, adding Houston and Chicago-Midway to its lineup. Delta also restarted its seasonal service to Nashville, transforming it into a year-round offering.
In his earlier interview with Invest:, Michael Landguth, president and CEO of RDU, provided a comprehensive outlook on the airport’s progress. “We are seeing somewhere between 80% and 90% right now. We reached 90% of our 2019 levels early in the summer of 2022,” Landguth said. Looking ahead, he estimated, “It will probably be around summer to fall of 2023 before we witness a consistent return to 2019 passenger levels,” underlining the connection between the airport’s operations and local economic activity. Now, as we enter the summer of 2023, his forecast seems to be unfolding.
In addition to the new airlines and routes, the airport has actively pursued enhancements in its infrastructure and services. Landguth detailed the measures RDU has taken to improve passenger experiences. “We are investing to make sure their experience is seamless. That includes two additional checkpoint lanes and new technology for online parking reservations and a virtual kitchen for travelers to order food,” he explained.
Simultaneously, RDU has prioritized its expansion strategy. As part of its forward-thinking Vision 2040 plan, the airport has set in motion several significant projects. Landguth shared, “One of the key initiatives is the replacement of our 10,000-foot runway. Furthermore, we’re exploring a land expansion program to enhance overall roadway access into the facility.”
RDU has experienced a surge in passenger volume, witnessing an uptick of nearly 2.7 million passengers through May, a growth of 23% from May 2022. The travel options have similarly increased, with airlines adding 38 new nonstop flights, including service to 20 new destinations in 2023. This expansion has pushed RDU’s nonstop destination count to 65, up from 57 pre-pandemic, making the airport more connected than ever before.
As the summer travel season begins, the airport continues to evolve, meeting the growing demand for air travel and reinforcing its position as a vital hub in the region.
For more information visit:
https://www.rdu.com/
https://www.delta.com/
Photo Credit: Sharkshock/shutterstock.com
