Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) marked the opening of Terminal 2, its newest terminal in more than 20 years, on Monday with a ribbon cutting.
The terminal combines glass, wood and steel to serve as a gateway to the Research Triangle Region.
“The region RDU serves is unique,” says RDU Airport Director John Brantley. “When planning this terminal building, we took great care to ensure it reflects the region’s history of craftsmanship as well as its reputation for high-tech innovation. No visitor will enter this terminal without recognizing that the region they have arrived in is rich in culture, history and innovation.”
The design of the building, done by North Carolina native Curtis Fentress, guides passengers from check-in to their gate. It doesn’t have the traditional ticketing counters, but islands that encourage easy movement from ticketing to security.
With the opening also came the opening of 13 retail outlets restaurants and customer services; the first 25 opened when the first phase of the terminal project was finished in October 2008.
A meeter/greeter area, called the Meeting Place, is adjacent to a pre-security Starbucks that features monitors and gives a view of passengers exiting the corridor.
Other eateries on the concourse include Carolina Vintages, a wine bar featuring North Carolina wines and a menu that includes seafood, local produce, and appetizers, sandwiches and entrees. Other restaurants include the gourmet market Flavours, Jason’s Deli and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Retail stores include locally owned 2nd Edition Book Sellers, Brighton Collectibles, Brooks Brothers, CNBC News, Hudson News, Life is good/Kids Works, PGA Tour Shop and Pylones.
There are eight art installations in the terminal, supporting the theme of “handmade and mind made.”
“The art in Terminal 2 offers passengers a respite from their travels by providing pieces that are whimsical, fascinating and reflective of North Carolina,” says RDU Director of Marketing Teresa Damiano.
Passengers now can see Robert Kushner’s “Welcome,” featured along the arrivals corridor. Other works include Lydia Rubio’s “Gate of Air,” the companion to “Gate of Earth,” which debuted in 2008, and Mei-ling Hom’s “Cloudscape.”
The centerpiece of the terminal is Ed Carpenter’s “Triplet” in the central atrium.
Continental Airlines and US Airways have moved from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and began operating in the new terminal Sunday.
