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RDU Presents Proposed 2021-2022 Airport Budget to the Board

Mar 11, 2021

Airport Authority to Focus on Recovery and Growth

 Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget and Business Plan to the Airport Authority Board on Thursday, with a focus on stabilization and recovery from the global health crisis. During the fiscal year beginning April 1, the Authority will concentrate on recovering passenger traffic and nonstop destinations lost as a result of the pandemic. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted years of record growth at RDU and sent us into survival mode, but we are approaching the new fiscal year with optimism,” said Michael Landguth, president & CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The budget and business plan presented today define RDU’s strategy for predicting and preparing for a prolonged yet steady recovery.” 

The Airport Authority’s Fiscal Year 2020-2021 “survival” budget cut spending by nearly half and deferred $96.1 million in construction projects due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel. The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 totals $150 million, including $73 million in operating expenses, a 9% reduction from last fiscal year. The budget also contains $28 million in spending on capital projects, a reduction of 28% from the previous fiscal year. 

Projects slated for the coming fiscal year include the continued preservation of 5L/23R, RDU’s primary runway; an environmental assessment for the overall Runway 5L/23R and Taxiway B replacement program; the beginning of a multi-year fuel facility improvement program and the rehabilitation of other critical airfield pavement surfaces. 

The FY2020-2021 Budget and Business Plan are based on three competitive strategies: Fiscal Responsibility, Customer Experience and Operational Excellence. The Board will vote on the proposed budget at its regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 18. The proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1 has been posted on RDU’s website since Feb. 25.