Continental Airlines will start offering direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Cancun this Saturday, marking the first time two airlines fly to the Mexican resort town from RDU airport.

Continental will fly to and from Cancun every Saturday, mirroring the schedule in place for Delta Airlines. Continental will celebrate its inaugural flight to Cancun with a live mariachi band playing at the Continental ticket counter in Terminal 2.

Airport spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin said Continental's new flight is an economic decision.

"If they have confidence in the market they will add service," said RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin.

RDU officials also said today that they saw an increase in passengers in January and a 1.5 percent boost in passengers in 2010 over 2009.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport posted a 3 percent gain in passengers in September, the first such increase since March.

The RDU Airport Authority also reported today that the amount of cargo moving through the airport increased 1.2 percent in September compared to the same month last year. And airline seat capacity increased for the first time in 28 months.

The numbers are a sign that airline travel is recovering after slumping badly during the economic downturn.
 

If you have a ticket for one of the 41 Delta Airlines flights departing Raleigh-Durham International Airport tomorrow, it could be your lucky day.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Delta will be awarding 40,000 SkyMiles to one passenger on each of its 41 flights departing RDU tomorrow. That's enough for a free round-trip ticket. The giveaway will be part of a day-long celebration.

Delta Airlines will add nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport this summer.

The flights are part of the airline's previously announced plan to increase the number of flights headed to California. In addition to Raleigh-Durham, Delta also announced new nonstop service between LA and Columbus, Ohio, Hartford, Conn., and San Francisco.

The Raleigh flights will begin on June 10 and run Sunday through Friday beginning June 10.

Delta Air Lines opened its new Sky Club at Raleigh-Durham International airport today.

The 4,000-square-foot club replaces the old Sky Club, which was closed in November 2008. It offers club members complimentary Wi-Fi, beverages and snacks, personalized flight assistance, a full-service bar and satellite TV.

It is located in Terminal 2.

"Raleigh-Durham is home to thousands of loyal Delta customers who fly with us each week and Delta's new Sky Club is designed to make Triangle travelers more productive and comfortable," said Ranjan Goswami, Delta's director of customer experience. "We look forward to welcoming members into this new Club and making their trips to, from and through Raleigh-Durham more enjoyable."