RDU

What RDU does

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a government-owned commercial airport operated by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, serving the Research Triangle region of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) from its sole hub in Morrisville, NC. Founded in 1943, RDU handled approximately 16 million passengers annually across 20 airlines with nonstop service to 15 international destinations, and processed 101,317 tons of cargo in 2024. The airport's operations span two terminals, four parking products (Premier, Central, Express, and Economy 3), cargo facilities serving FedEx and UPS, and two fixed-base operators (Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation) for private aviation.

RDU generates revenue through five primary streams: parking fees (Premier, Central, Express, and Economy lots with online booking via ParkRDU.com), terminal concessions and ground leases (including the Aviation Station retail center and a planned 136-acre recreation and wellness destination), airline agreements (landing fees and facility charges across 20 carriers), cargo operations (transaction-based fees for FedEx and UPS), and fixed-base operations (fueling and hangar services for private aviation). Pricing on parking is tiered by lot type and proximity to terminals, all bookable 24 hours in advance; concession pricing varies by vendor.

The airport is executing the $2.5 billion, 10-year Transform RDU capital program encompassing Runway 5L-23R replacement, Terminal 2 expansion (completion 2032), Park Economy 3 expansion (7,000 new spaces), and John Brantley Boulevard extension. Technology infrastructure is operational rather than differentiating, with a parking guidance system using digital signage and colored occupancy lights, plus standard third-party integrations (Google Analytics, ToastTab, HMS Host QuickPay, CLEAR). The Authority does not collect taxes, is self-funded, and is governed by a board that in 2025 became the airport's first all-female leadership team. The most recent leadership change includes Senior Vice President and COO Bill Sandifer's announced retirement in 2027.

Name

RDU

Legal name

Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

Website

https://rdu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a government-owned commercial airport serving the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, operating two terminals for 20 airlines and approximately 16 million annual passengers, with revenue from parking, concessions, airline agreements, cargo, and private aviation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Aviation Infrastructure

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Commercial aviation
• Air cargo handling
• Airport parking services
• Concession leasing

Headquarters

HQ city

Morrisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Parking Fees: Revenue generated from on-airport parking facilities including Premier, Central, Express, and Economy lots. The airport operates ParkRDU parking system with online booking capabilities.
2. Concessions and Leasing: Revenue from restaurant, retail, and service concessions throughout the terminals, as well as leasing airport land for non-aviation uses such as the Aviation Station retail center and the planned recreation and wellness destination.
3. Airline Agreements: Revenue from agreements with airlines operating at the airport, including landing fees and facility charges.
4. Cargo Operations: Revenue from cargo facilities supporting FedEx and UPS operations, with over 101,000 tons of cargo processed annually.
5. Fixed-Base Operations: Revenue from FBO facilities serving private aviation, including Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a publicly operated commercial international airport that provides passenger air travel infrastructure across two terminals served by 20 airlines, an integrated parking system with four product tiers (Premier, Central, Express, Economy) bookable online, cargo handling facilities for major freight carriers (FedEx, UPS), and fixed-base operator (FBO) services for private aviation. The airport additionally operates terminal concessions (dining, retail, services) and is developing a 136-acre off-airport recreation and wellness destination to diversify non-aeronautical revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transform RDU: Airport's $2.5 billion, 10-year capital improvement program
• Reimagine RDU
• ParkRDU
• The Fly Angle
• World Class Service

Products and services

• ParkRDU Premier Parking Premium covered parking product offering direct covered walking access to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; bookable online through ParkRDU.com at least 24 hours in advance. Targets travelers seeking closest terminal access.
• ParkRDU Central Parking Mid-range covered and outdoor parking product in the central parking garage, within walking distance of both terminals. Online reservation required at least 24 hours in advance via ParkRDU.com.
• ParkRDU Express Parking Express parking tier offering a short shuttle ride with luggage assistance and complimentary bottled water. Bookable online through ParkRDU.com at least 24 hours in advance.
• ParkRDU Economy Parking Lowest-priced daily parking tier at RDU offering free 24/7 shuttle service to terminals every 20 minutes. The Park Economy 3 expansion adds 7,000 spaces (total 10,936) with solar panels, EV chargers, and a Customer Amenity Building. Online booking required 24 hours in advance via ParkRDU.com.
• Terminal Dining and Retail Concessions On-airport concession program offering restaurant, bar, retail, and service amenities throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, operated through third-party tenants (e.g., HMS Host, Bond Brothers) under concession agreements. Includes approximately 20 new concepts added under the Reimagine RDU initiative.
• Air Cargo Handling Services Dedicated cargo handling infrastructure at RDU's North and South Cargo facilities, providing daily operations support to FedEx, UPS, and commercial airline cargo customers. Processed over 101,000 tons of cargo in 2024.
• Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) Services Fixed-base operator services for private aviation and business jets at RDU, delivered through two on-airport FBOs (Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation). Includes fueling, hangar facilities, and ground handling.
• Commercial Passenger Terminal Operations Two-terminal commercial passenger operation serving 20 airlines with nonstop service to 15 international destinations. Terminal 1 functions primarily as the American Airlines hub; Terminal 2 hosts multiple airlines with international arrivals capability and is undergoing expansion of ticketing, security lanes, international arrivals, and baggage handling systems.
• Aviation Station Retail and Service Center Six-acre on-airport retail and service center anchored by Sheetz with planned future restaurant development sites, generating non-aeronautical revenue for the airport authority.

Quantifiable outcome

• Platinum Envision sustainability certification achieved for Park Economy 3 parking expansion
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Aer LinguscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Irish airline launching nonstop service from RDU to Dublin starting April 13, 2026. Operating 5 times weekly on Airbus A321XLR aircraft with 184 seats. This is the first direct gateway from RDU to Ireland and Europe.
• Pacific Elm PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Developer partner working with RDU Airport Authority to create a 136-acre recreation and wellness destination near Aviation Parkway and Interstate 40. The project aims to generate revenue for the airport while serving the community with water sports, land sports, family activities, retail, food and beverage, and lodging. Three public workshops were held in 2025 to gather community input.
• Signature Flight SupportcoreOthersFixed-base operator for private aviation at RDU, located at 1775 E. International Drive, Raleigh, NC 27523. Provides services including fueling and hangar facilities for private aircraft.
• Atlantic AviationcoreOthersFixed-base operator for private aviation at RDU, located at 1725 E. International Drive, Raleigh, NC 27623. Provides FBO services for general aviation.
• Bill SandifercoreOthersSenior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer planning to retire in 2027

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport: Operated by the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, CLT is a comparable mid-large hub airport serving the Carolinas with a dominant American Airlines hub, large cargo operations, and an aggressive capital expansion program. Most direct US peer given shared geography, hub airline, and growth trajectory.
• Nashville International Airport: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority operates BNA, a fast-growing mid-size Southeast hub that recently completed a major $1.5B+ expansion (BNA Vision). Highly comparable passenger mix, capital program scale, and growth profile to RDU.
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: Owned and operated by the City of Austin, AUS serves a high-growth tech metro with substantial expansion underway (Journey With AUS expansion program). Directly comparable as a Southern US hub serving a tech-driven catchment with similar passenger volumes (~20M).
• Pittsburgh International Airport: Allegheny County Airport Authority operates PIT, a mid-size hub recently transformed by the $1.6B Terminal Modernization Program. Comparable in scale, terminal redevelopment approach, and non-aeronautical revenue diversification strategy.
• Indianapolis International Airport: Operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority, IND is a FedEx Express global hub with substantial cargo throughput comparable to RDU's 101,317 tons. Comparable mid-size Midwest/Southeast hub with significant cargo and FedEx concentration.
• Tampa International Airport: Hillsborough County Aviation Authority operates TPA, a mid-large Florida hub consistently ranked among the top US airports for passenger satisfaction. Comparable passenger experience focus, J.D. Power recognition, and capital expansion approach.
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport: Kenton County Airport Board operates CVG, a DHL global super-hub with major cargo operations and Amazon Air/DHL facilities. Highly comparable as a mid-size regional airport with outsized cargo operations and ongoing terminal redevelopment.
• Southwest Florida International Airport: Lee County Port Authority operates RSW, a Florida-based mid-size airport with similar passenger volumes (~10M) and significant cargo operations. Comparable scale, governance model (independent port authority), and terminal expansion trajectory.

Regional players

• Norfolk International Airport: Operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, ORF is a smaller Southeast regional airport with comparable governance structure but smaller passenger volumes (~4M). Comparable as a state/regional airport authority model rather than in scale.

Broad incumbents

• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: MWAA operates Washington Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA), two larger East Coast airports under a similar multi-airport authority governance model. Comparable governance structure (independent authority generating own revenue) but at materially larger scale than RDU.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rduairport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RDUAirport
• Facebookfacebook.com/rduairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raleigh-durham-airport-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyrdu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RDU