New RDU terminal to open for tours

Morrisville, N.C. — The new terminal at Raleigh-Durham International Airport will open to the public for the first time Saturday. Access to the terminal, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is free.

The airport authority has planned to open the terminal to travelers on Sunday, Oct. 26.

The $570 million project is the airport's first new passenger facility in more than 20 years. It will open in two phases, with the second phase scheduled to open in 2011.

Terminal 2 replaces the red-roofed Terminal C, which was built as a hub for American Airlines in 1987 and designed primarily for passengers changing planes. With the demise of American's hub, however, officials said fewer than 5 percent of RDU's passengers now change planes at the airport.

The north concourse of the terminal will feature 19 gates, seven security checkpoint lanes and 26 shops and restaurants in 550,000 square feet. The south concourse will add 13 gates, another seven security lanes and 17 more retailers.

Some of the merchants expected in the new terminal are 42nd Street Oyster Bar, Carolina Ale House, A Southern Season, Brooks Brothers and Apple iPod.

American, American Eagle, Delta, United, Midwest Connect and Air Canada will initially fly out of the terminal. Continental, Northwest and US Airways will move to Terminal 2 when the south concourse opens.