News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition — the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

Sign up for, and consider sponsoring, RTA virtual breakfast
On August 4, we will gather together — virtually, but together — for what may be our largest breakfast event ever. This year’s event is presented by the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina and will feature an executive panel discussion of preliminary findings of both the RTA Freeway And Street-based Transit study — a cooperative effort with GoTriangle and NCDOT — as well as our zero fare pilot study. One or more registrations are included with your membership – please sign up by the July 31 deadline. Additional registrations for members are $95; non-members can join us for $125. Public sector pricing for the virtual event is $35. Thank you to the entire RTA Leadership Team for making this event possible. In addition, sponsorships are available at $999, which provide additional recognition as well as 8 registrations – thank you to the Research Triangle Foundation and Credit Suisse for serving as our first event sponsors for the breakfast!

Amidst a sobering reality, London is calling, again
American Airlines — currently the largest airline at RDU — has noted that people using TSA checkpoints over the Independence weekend were down 72% nationally year over year. AA expects that they will be overstaffed by 20,000 team members across their entire system come fall 2020 due to the coronavirus and related response and economic impacts. However, on what I believe to be a very positive note for this region, AA announced earlier this month that they intend to restore service from RDU to London/Heathrow (LHR) this coming winter. While AA is a longtime partner of RDU and our region, RDU is neither a hub nor a focus city for American Airlines. Therefore, the restoration of American’s RDU-LHR transatlantic service would be truly game-changing for our region’s economic recovery — and a testament to the strength and attractiveness of our market.

RDU returning to the skies, redux
Last week I mentioned that our partners at RDU are working hard to make the “new normal” flying experience both safe and comfortable. They have released an excellent “Fly Confident” video and webpage that will help each of us when we return to the skies. RDU has also put together a Fly Confident toolkit that includes helpful resources you can download and share with your associates. If you need additional information, I encourage you to email Mary Griffith, RDU director of community affairs. We applaud the entire RDU team for their efforts to create a healthy environment for air travel.  

Thank you for your membership in the RTA business coalition!

Let’s get moving,

Joe

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director