Alaska, Breeze & Sun Country Shift Terminals As Raleigh-Durham International Airport Adjusts For Growth

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is slated for a massive expansion program over the next decade. To manage its growth efficiently and systematically, some carriers, including Alaska Airlines, Breeze, and Sun Country, have moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 as the airport continues attracting more footfall each year.

Breeze and Sun Country moved in April

With Raleigh-Durham International Airport getting busier, many airlines are moving to Terminal 1 for better crowd management. Two budget carriers – Breeze Airways and Sun Country Airlines – moved last month and joined other airlines, such as Southwest, Avelo, and Spirit.

Photo: christopheronglv | Shutterstock

RDU is attracting more passengers as travel resumes in full swing, and its terminals are seeing more passengers. The airport said it has been done to maximize gate space in both terminals. Anticipating any teething issues that come with such a move, RDU informed travelers that “passengers who go to Terminal 2 can cross back through the parking deck to reach Terminal 1, a less than five-minute walk.”

Alaska Airlines latest to move to Terminal 1

Breeze and Sun Country were joined by Alaska Airlines, which shifted operations to Terminal 1 at RDU in the first week of May. Some Alaska passengers were initially seen reaching Terminal 2 and then had to walk to Terminal 1 with their luggage. The airline stationed extra employees at the terminals to guide passengers through the latest changes.

Photo: Ian Dewar Photography | Shutterstock

RDU has added four new airlines in recent times, and its Terminal 2 already has several airlines, including giants like American Airlines and Delta. Terminal 1 has nine gates, as noted by The News & Observer, and it is already seeing a noticeable increase in activity with the recent changes.

Terminal 2, which has 33 gates, will get more than fifty in the coming decades as part of the more extensive expansion program of the airport. By next year, it will have several more ticket counters, baggage carousels, and security checkpoints.

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Big expansion plans

Those familiar with the long-term expansion plans at Raleigh-Durham International Airport won’t be surprised by these latest shifts in airline operations. In 2017, after a two-year public process, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved RDA’s Vision 2040 25-year master plan for growth.

Photo: Raleigh-Durham International Airport

RDU will see a significant upgrade to its infrastructure over the coming decades, focusing on four primary areas: the airfield, terminals, ground transportation, and general aviation. The plan is based on projected passenger volume and the airport’s facilities to handle current and future demand.

Among the things planned are the replacement of primary Runway 5L/23R. The current 10,000-foot runway was built in the 1980s and must be replaced after four decades of use. Its taxiways will also see upgrades as part of the plan.

Photo: Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Of course, the terminals will receive a huge infrastructure boost, particularly Terminal 2, which will see more gates, among other things. Overall, RDU is being prepared for more streamlined operations, keeping in mind its projected traffic growth, and that includes reshuffling airlines from one terminal to another.

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