Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport are among U.S. airports recording record passenger numbers in 2024. MEM experienced a milestone year, highlighted by a record number of 4.9 million origin and destination (O&D) passengers traveling through the airport. These numbers reflected an increase of nearly 81,000 passengers compared to 2023. RDU finished strong […]
North Carolina
New NCDOT Report Says Aviation Industry Contributes $88 Billion Annually to State Economy
North Carolina’s aviation industry contributes $88 billion each year to the state’s economy and supports more than 427,000 jobs statewide, according to the 2025 North Carolina: The State of Aviation report. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation released the report to highlight the industry’s substantial economic impact, and the vital role local airports […]
North Carolina to Develop Drone Program to Better Respond to Disasters like Helene, Florence
A federal grant awarded last week will enable state transportation officials to create a program that better guides the agency’s use of drones when it responds to natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Florence. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award of a $1.1 million grant to the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of […]
Aeronautics Director to Take On New Challenge as Division Engineer for NCDOT
Rebecca Gallas, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation Director, will be transitioning throughout December into her new role as Division Engineer for NCDOT Division 5. NCDOT’s Assistant Unit Head for Photogrammetry Nick Short, PE will serve as the interim Aviation Director. Moving up in NCDOT is a bittersweet transition for Gallas, whose […]
NC Universities and NCDOT Partner on Air Mobility and Drone Innovation
North Carolina is paving the way for a new era of air transportation. The N.C. Department of Transportation has formed the University Transportation Center of Excellence for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), bringing together top universities to redefine how we transport people and goods through innovative aviation technologies. This initiative brings […]
First Flight Society Announces 2024 Class of Honorary Members
The First Flight Society announces two new Honorary Lifetime Members: Dr Peggy Chabrian, the founder of Women in Aviation International and aerobatic national champion Michael Goulian. Dr. Chabrian is the founder of Women in Aviation International and was the first president from 1994 until September 2019. WAI is an organization dedicated to the advancement and […]
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Anticipates Record Holiday Travel Season
The 2024 holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest nationwide, and Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) is excited to welcome an increase in passenger traffic after an inspiring year of growth, including the launch of a new airline, major terminal improvements, and increased service over last season, adding 76 extra flights […]
DEXA Achieves Key FAA Waiver, Advancing BVLOS Drone Deliveries
DEXA (Drone Express) has announced that it has been granted FAA’s Part 107 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver in Winston Salem, North Carolina. This significant milestone allows DEXA to expand its drone delivery operations and bring faster, more convenient service to a broader customer base. The BVLOS waiver enables DEXA’s drones to fly […]
Laurinburg-Maxton Airport Receives $1 Million from FAA for New Terminal Building
Laurinburg-Maxton Airport has announced that it has been awarded a grant of $1 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assist with the construction of a new terminal building. This funding will help significantly enhance the airport’s facilities, improve passenger services, and support the growing demand for general aviation in the region. The new […]
Lift Off! Your Vision, Your Art, in the 2025 Aviation Art Contest
Grab your colored pencils, crayons, and paints and let your imagination take flight! The N.C. Department of Transportation is soaring into the 2025 Aviation Art Contest, and this year’s theme, “Women with Wings,” is all about celebrating the pioneering women who were trailblazers in aviation, such as pilots, skydivers or women who built and maintained […]
