Raleigh-Durham International Airport
KRDU is the ICAO code for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (IATA RDU), located in Raleigh/Durham, NC.
The primary commercial-service airport for the Research Triangle, 15 miles from downtown Raleigh and 8 miles from downtown Durham.
Airport guide
RDU sits in the middle of the Research Triangle, making it the logical entry point for business travel to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park. The airport handles roughly 12 million passengers per year across two terminals, and private aviation operates through Signature Flight Support, the primary FBO on the field.
As a large commercial airport, RDU does not have slot restrictions, and private jets can schedule arrivals and departures without prior coordination beyond standard IFR/VFR flight planning. The airport operates around the clock. Noise abatement procedures apply for certain departure routes during overnight hours, but these rarely affect scheduling.
Signature's FBO offers the standard amenities: private lounges, conference rooms, catering coordination, and ground transportation arrangement. Hangar and ramp parking are available, though advance reservations are recommended during major events at nearby universities or the convention center.
Getting there
Downtown Durham is about 8 miles from the terminal and takes 15 minutes by car in normal traffic. Downtown Raleigh is 15 miles east, typically 20 to 25 minutes. Research Triangle Park, one of the largest research parks in the country, is 5 miles from the airport. Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina campus are about 18 miles southwest, a 25-minute drive.
Uber, Lyft, and rental cars are available at the airport. Several car services operate in the Triangle for meet-and-greet FBO pickups. There is no helicopter transfer service operating at RDU.
Rankings history
KRDU's monthly position in the AceJet US business-aviation airport ranking. The ranking counts every observed private-jet movement — arrivals and departures — not just empty legs. See the full ranking →
| Month | Rank | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01 | #43 | 17 |
| 2025-12 | #34 | 465 |
| 2025-11 | #34 | 503 |
| 2025-10 | #31 | 553 |
| 2025-09 | #36 | 460 |
| 2025-08 | #39 | 457 |
| 2025-05 | #37 | 395 |
| 2025-04 | #36 | 457 |
| 2025-03 | #37 | 460 |
| 2025-02 | #41 | 370 |
| 2025-01 | #36 | 352 |
| 2024-12 | #31 | 357 |
Charter operators (7)
Empty legs departing (9)
Empty legs arriving (5)
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Frequently asked questions about Raleigh-Durham International Airport
What is KRDU airport?
KRDU is the ICAO code for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, in Raleigh/Durham, NC.
What does RDU stand for?
RDU is the IATA code for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU) in Raleigh/Durham, NC.
Where is Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located in Raleigh/Durham, NC.
Does Raleigh-Durham International Airport have customs and immigration?
Yes — Raleigh-Durham International Airport has on-site customs and immigration. International arrivals can clear directly without diverting to another airport.
What time does Raleigh-Durham International Airport open?
Raleigh-Durham International Airport operates 24/7. Noise abatement overnight
What FBOs are at Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has 2 FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support.