Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City International Airport (MCI) has kicked off 2025 by breaking its previous travel records and adding an exciting new nonstop flight service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) beginning in May. This announcement comes after a landmark year in 2024, where MCI saw a record 12,121,778 passengers, marking its busiest year ever.
Operated by Delta Air Lines, the new daily route seeks to improve Kansas City’s position as a major hub for pleasure as well as business travel. Given Raleigh-Durham’s growing innovation and research industries, this link to the city should increase possibilities for cultural and financial interactions between the two cities.
“Anytime a new flight route is added, it creates more opportunities—not just for visitors to experience all that Kansas City has to offer, but also for our residents to stay better connected,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “This new nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham strengthens our city’s accessibility and supports business and tourism growth, establishing Kansas City as a world-class destination.”
MCI not only exceeded the 12 million passenger mark for the first time in 2024 but also launched several other nonstop flights including routes to Sacramento, California, Hollywood-Burbank, CA, and Columbus, Ohio. These additions show Kansas City’s strategic attempts to improve its accessibility and prominence as a national and international vacation destination.
The new flights to Raleigh-Durham are set as follows: a departure from Kansas City at 6:55 p.m. CT, arriving in Raleigh-Durham at 10:19 p.m. ET, with the return trip leaving Raleigh-Durham at 7:55 a.m. ET and arriving back in Kansas City at 9:41 a.m. CT. Visit Delta’s website at Delta.com to book flights or look for further information.
The Kansas City Airport System, an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, operates independently of the city’s general tax fund revenues. Focused on the management, promotion, operation, and maintenance of airports inside the system, it is supported totally via airport user charges.
Read also: Kansas City seeks artists to shape the future of Barney Allis Plaza with public art
The incorporation of new routes like the one to Raleigh-Durham is essential in improving Kansas City’s network as the city keeps extending its air service options, therefore increasing its appeal to both visitors and businesses. Visit flykci.com to get additional information and updates on flight schedules.
 has kicked off 2025 by breaking its previous travel records and adding an exciting new nonstop flight service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) beginning in May){kind=link}