Raleigh-Durham International Airport Ends 2004 with Nine Percent Gain in Passengers

RDU Airport, NC – Over 8.6 million passengers traveled through Raleigh-Durham International Airport in 2004. The year-end activity report was presented to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority at yesterday's monthly meeting. The growth represents a nine percent gain over 2003 when 7.9 million passengers used RDU. Since January 2004, the Authority has reported only positive monthly gains in passenger numbers compared to 2003.

““These numbers clearly reflect what we anticipated,” said John Brantley, RDU airport director. “Triangle area residents are flying. We have a strong market which continues to be reflected not only in passenger numbers but also in the service airlines continue to add to meet passenger demand.”

The number of flights departing RDU rose 17 percent. Today, airlines serving RDU offer 250 daily departures to 40 destinations — up from 207 daily departures in December 2003. Last year, airlines introduced new service to Austin, Texas, Providence, Rhode Island and Indianapolis, while adding frequencies to RDU passengers' most popular destinations.

Upcoming service additions include two daily nonstop flights to New Orleans set to begin on March 2. Delta Connection will offer the service to the popular business and leisure destination. The airline recently began nonstop service to Tampa. Southwest Airlines will add one additional flight to Chicago Midway on February 4.

RDU also posted gains in air cargo, aircraft operations and outbound taxi trips.

Also at yesterday's meeting, the Airport Authority welcomed two new members. Toni Lipscomb joins the Authority as a City of Durham appointee. Lipscomb is part of the executive staff of Self Help based in Durham. She replaces Ken Gibbs, who served as the Authority Chairman from January 2001 to January 2003.

The Authority also welcomed Terry Yeargan who was recently appointed as one of the representatives from Wake County. Yeargan is Vice President of Bovis Lend Lease, Inc. of Raleigh. He replaces Steve Zaytoun.

The Airport Authority consists of eight members. The City of Durham, City of Raleigh, Durham County and Wake County are each represented by two members.

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