Raleigh-Durham International Airport sees 7% growth in January, launching new international routes to boost passenger traffic in 2025.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in the United States saw a significant surge in passenger traffic this January, welcoming over one million travelers. This marks a 7% increase compared to January 2024, though it remains 22% lower than the December holiday peak. Despite the usual post-holiday slowdown, RDU anticipates a quick rebound as the airport prepares for a series of new international route launches that are expected to boost passenger numbers in the coming months.

“RDU continues to add international and domestic destinations to its route map, with new nonstop flights to warm weather locales leading the way,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “We are pleased to welcome new service to the beaches of Florida and the Caribbean, and we expect those routes to thrive as travelers book winter getaways and start planning for spring break.” 

Avelo Airlines Launches International Flights from RDU

Avelo Airlines made its international debut at RDU on January 12, with its first flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica. This marks the first time Avelo has offered international service from Raleigh-Durham, reflecting the airline’s strategic expansion into international markets. Building on this momentum, Avelo is set to launch nonstop flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, starting February 22. Both routes will operate twice weekly, catering to vacationers and leisure travelers from mid-November through September.

RDU’s international network continues to expand with another highly anticipated launch in April, when BermudAir begins offering flights from the Research Triangle to Bermuda. This new connection is expected to appeal to both leisure and business travelers, enhancing RDU’s status as a growing international gateway.

Breeze Airways Expands Domestic Network at RDU

Breeze Airways is also making significant strides at RDU by adding five new domestic routes, including service to two brand-new destinations. Starting in late April, Breeze will commence twice-weekly flights to Pensacola, followed by new routes to Memphis, Rochester, and Orlando in May, and Albany in June. The addition of Pensacola and Memphis represents an important milestone for RDU, as Memphis was previously the largest unserved market for the airport.

Breeze Airways first entered the RDU market in 2023 with flights to eight destinations. Since then, the airline has rapidly expanded its presence, now connecting RDU travelers to 26 citis nationwide. The airline’s continued growth at RDU underscores its commitment to providing more travel options and competitive fares for passengers in the Research Triangle region.

Bright Outlook for RDU’s Growth and Connectivity

RDU’s continued expansion of international and domestic routes demonstrates its strategic role as a key travel hub in the Southeast. With Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways leading the way, RDU passengers now have more choices than ever before. As new routes continue to be added and passenger numbers rise, RDU is well-positioned for a dynamic year ahead.

Travelers looking for new destinations and convenient flight options can look forward to an exciting lineup of new routes from RDU throughout 2025.

The post How Raleigh-Durham International Airport is Thriving with Seven Percent Passenger Growth and New International Flights to Montego Bay and Punta Cana appeared first on Travel And Tour World.