Public input sought in future of RDU

Now, the airport is looking at what it needs to do in order to continue its growth in the future.

“I think I came here back in 1999, and it has really improved since then,” airport visitor and Fayetteville resident Rodney Crosby said.

Since Crosby’s last visit, the airport has built a new parking garage, an additional terminal and also renovated its original terminal.

“We have done a lot of work over the past 15 years to transform RDU into a world-class airport that represents our region,” RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin said.

Airport leaders will first listen to public input before putting together a master plan for decades to come.

Hamlin said the idea is “to understand where we are going as far as passenger and cargo growth and put in the infrastructure to support that demand."

The plan will cover runways, cargo operations and transit options.

“This will give the public the opportunity to look at alternatives that are developed to provide their input on what they'd like to see the airport look like,” Hamlin said.

Crosby said he would like to see more shops in the terminals, but said overall he’s satisfied with the airport.