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Recent News

Updated Mar 1, 2026
Airport experiences over 100 flight cancellations from Northeast blizzard

Raleigh-Durham International Airport recorded more than 100 flight cancellations and numerous delays on February 24, 2026, as a blizzard in the Northeast disrupted air travel across the U.S. Passengers faced extended waits and rebooking challenges.

WRAL·Feb 24, 2026
New restaurants and shops open in Terminal 1 as part of $2.5B expansion

Raleigh-Durham International Airport opened new dining and retail options in Terminal 1 on February 19, 2026, including Raleigh Beer Garden, Italian restaurant Puro Gusto, and Natalie's Candy Jar. The upgrades are part of RDU's $2.5 billion expansion project set to complete in 2032.

WRAL·Feb 19, 2026
Construction begins on John Brantley Boulevard widening project

RDU began construction this week to widen John Brantley Boulevard, adding more lanes to improve traffic flow to the airport. The project is funded mainly by passenger facility charges, airline fees, and customer spending at the airport.

WRAL·Feb 19, 2026
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID technology coming to RDU by spring 2026

The Transportation Security Administration announced RDU is among 50 airports receiving TSA PreCheck Touchless ID technology by spring 2026. The biometric facial recognition technology streamlines security screening for eligible travelers.

Upgraded Points·Jan 9, 2026

Airport Profile

Bond TypeGARB
Rate MethodologyCompensatory
Moody'sAa3
FitchAA-

Key Financial Data (FY 2025)

CPE$9.90
Signatory Landing Fee$2.4700
Enplanements7,781,889
Total Operating Revenue$254.1M
Total Operating Expense$191.6M
Operating Income$62.6M
Total Debt$326.7M
Rate Covenant1.25x
Unrestricted Cash$602.8M
Landed Weight (1000 lbs)9,518,928

Enplaned Passengers (T-100)

6.3M-16.1%

Cost per Enplanement (CPE)

$9.90+7.6%

Revenue

$254.1M+9.7%

Expense

$191.6M+11.7%

Ratemaking Overview

Overall MethodologyCompensatory

Settlement & True-Up

Not available

Landing Fee Methodology

Not available

Terminal Rental Rate

Not available

Common Use & Gate Allocation

Additional Bonds Test

For additional Bonds (other than refunding Bonds): Authority must be in compliance with Rate Covenant (or taking remedial actions), and either (a) Consultant certifies projected Net Revenues will satisfy Rate Covenant for next 5 Fiscal Years or through 2 full Fiscal Years after Project completion, whichever is later (extending test if Capitalized Interest applies in last year), or (b) Authorized Authority Representative certifies Net Revenues for most recent Fiscal Year were at least 125% of Maximum Aggregate Annual Debt Service on all Bonds after issuance. For refunding Bonds: either meet above test or demonstrate Aggregate Annual Debt Service in each Fiscal Year will be lower after refunding. Proposed Amendment (effective upon execution after 2010 Bonds issuance) restates refunding test: either meet above test or Aggregate Annual Debt Service in each Fiscal Year after refunding shall not exceed 110% of Aggregate Annual Debt Service prior to refunding.

Rate Covenant

Covenant Ratio1.25x

Net Revenues in each Fiscal Year must be at least equal to (a) debt service on all Bonds, (b) required deposits to any Debt Service Reserve Fund, (c) reimbursement owed to any issuer of a credit facility or standby purchase agreement, and (d) debt service and required reserve fund payments on any Subordinated Obligations. Additionally, Net Revenues together with any Transfer must equal at least 125% of Aggregate Annual Debt Service on Outstanding Bonds. Transfer may not exceed 25% of Aggregate Annual Debt Service. PFCs that are irrevocably committed or held by the Trustee and set aside to pay debt service are excluded from Aggregate Annual Debt Service calculation for Rate Covenant purposes through March 31, 2016.

Flow of Funds

Revenues deposited to Revenue Fund. PFCs deposited to PFC Revenue Fund (up to irrevocably committed amounts through 3/31/2016). From Revenue Fund, application priority: (1) Maintenance and Operation Expenses, (2) Debt Service Funds (net of PFC transfers), (3) Debt Service Reserve Funds, (4) Subordinated Obligation Debt Service Funds, (5) Subordinated Obligation Debt Service Reserve Funds, (6) capital improvements (if does not impair ability to make payments). Amounts remaining at Fiscal Year end may be credited to Surplus Fund if no Event of Default, no deficiency in funds, and certified amount will not adversely affect following year's obligations. Surplus Fund amounts no longer subject to pledge. Authority may transfer up to 25% of Aggregate Annual Debt Service from Surplus Fund to Revenue Fund for coverage purposes.

1.Revenue Fund — Repository for Revenues of the Authority. A sufficient amount of Revenues to be set aside to pay Maintenance and Operation Expenses of the Authority.
2.Debt Service Funds — To pay debt service on Outstanding Bonds. Transfer from Revenue Fund on 3rd Business Day prior to each interest/principal payment date. PFC transfers from PFC Revenue Fund are taken into account in determining required Revenue Fund transfers.
3.Debt Service Reserve Funds (Parity Reserve Fund) — To fund and maintain the Reserve Requirement on Bonds. Reserve Requirement = least of (a) Maximum Aggregate Annual Debt Service for Reserve Requirement, (b) 10% of par (less >2% OID), or (c) 125% of average Aggregate Annual Debt Service for Reserve Requirement. PFCs NOT excluded from debt service for Reserve Requirement calculation. After 2010 Bonds issuance, Reserve Requirement = $49,533,115.02. Parity Reserve Fund secures 2001 Bonds, 2005 Bonds, 2007 Bonds, and 2010 Bonds. Contains $3,597,371.51 surety from Financial Guaranty (not currently rated). Authority maintains cash equal to Reserve Requirement without counting surety.
4.Subordinated Obligation Debt Service Funds — To pay debt service on Subordinated Obligations (none currently outstanding).
5.Subordinated Obligation Debt Service Reserve Funds — To fund and maintain the Reserve Requirement on Subordinated Obligations (none currently outstanding).
6.Capital Improvements / Surplus Fund — Remaining amounts retained in Revenue Fund and may be used for approved capital improvements. Amounts remaining at end of each Fiscal Year may be credited to Surplus Fund (if no Event of Default, no deficiency in funds, and certified amount will not adversely affect following year). Surplus Fund to be used for any lawful Authority purpose. Authority may transfer up to 25% of Aggregate Annual Debt Service from Surplus Fund to Revenue Fund for debt service coverage. Authority policy provides for an M&O reserve for budgeted M&O Expenses held unencumbered in Surplus Fund.

Source Documents

Official Statements

RDU-2020AB-OS.pdf
RDU-2010AB-OS.pdf

Financial Statements

RDU 2024 ACFR.pdf
RDU 2025 ACFR.pdf

Budgets

2025-2026-Budget-FINAL.pdf
2023-2024-Budget-Final-v1.pdf
2024-2025-Budget-FINAL.pdf

Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting