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 in 2024, with more than 1.3 million guests traveling in the month of December, a 12.4 percent increase over Dec. 2023. “With another record-breaking year behind us at RDU, we are looking forward to welcoming more airlines and international routes than ever before in 2025,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The new year is starting off strong as we prepare to launch new destinations, add new airline partners and connect the Research Triangle region with even more travel opportunities.”
The airport ended the year with 15.5 million travelers compared to 14.5 million in 2023, an increase of 6.5 percent.
Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) presented an overview of 2024 milestones at its Board of Commissioners meeting on January 16. The review was highlighted in a video that can be found at https://youtu.be/pmWDSo14NGo.
2024 highlights and statistics:
- Total passengers: 4,878,919 (increase of 1.69 percent vs. 2023)
- Total scheduled flights: 48,848 (increase of 283 compared to 2023)
- Total cargo handled: 8.28 billion pounds (decrease of 3.27 percent compared to 2022, though MEM remained the busiest cargo airport in North America and second busiest in the world).
- MEM on the Move: MEM began the largest construction project in its history, which will lead to the replacement of the outer drive and the modernization of the ticketing and baggage areas.
- Parking enhancements: 828 parking spaces added, new parking system implemented, including real-time level count signage.
“MEM was definitely on the move in 2024,” said Terry Blue, MSCAA President and CEO. “We experienced another record-setting year of passenger traffic, began our terminal modernization project, and transitioned to a new enhanced parking system. We will continue this momentum into 2025 with the goal of making MEM the airport of choice for the Mid-South.”
Looking ahead to 2025 (projects on the horizon):
• MEM on the Move: Outer drive replacement project to begin, ride-share pickup to move to baggage level
• Parking system expansion and enhancements, including real-time online parking updates and parking guidance system to indicate vacant spaces
• Charles W. Baker Airport new terminal construction
• New flights: Spirit service to New Orleans (February), Spirit service to Fort Lauderdale (March), Southwest service to Nashville (April) and Delta service to Austin (May).
Mem on the move https://flymemphis.com/mem-on-the-move/
In North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation released its 2025 State of Aviation report this month, detailing the economic impact North Carolina’s 72 publicly owned airports have on the communities they serve. The report shows RDU has an annual impact of $24.1 billion on the economy and supports 139,745 direct and indirect jobs. RDU also generates $9.8 billion in personal income and $1.3 billion in tax revenue for government agencies. The airport contributes to the economy through spending by travelers, airlines, concessionaires and rental car companies, along with capital project construction, facilities maintenance and operational services. The report, produced every two years, helps guide investment in aviation infrastructure and provides a tool for recruiting aviation and aerospace industry companies and investment.
Air Service: Flights to warm weather destinations are in demand at RDU. JetBlue added a second daily flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for March and April and Spirit is adding more flights to Ft. Lauderdale. Spirit increased the frequency of its Ft. Lauderdale route from four times a week to nine times a week in January, and from four times a week to seven times a week in February. Avelo will launch two international routes from RDU next month with nonstop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Both Avelo routes will fly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from mid-November through September.
