15: Raleigh Municipal Airport
Revisiting the runways that launched Raleigh into an era of expanding commercial aviation.
140000Z OCT 24
Good morning, and welcome to another issue of Flightlines.
This week we take a retrospective look at Raleigh Municipal Airport, one of the city's early commercial airfields that played a significant role in the development of air travel in North Carolina's capital.
In this issue of Flightlines:
✈️ Feature: Raleigh Municipal Airport
📍Routes of note
Emirates is resuming A380 service from Dubai to Copenhagen.
ZIPAIR is launching a new route from Tokyo to Houston in March 2025.
United Airlines is increasing service from Washington D.C. to Accra.
SAS is cancelling its route from Copenhagen to Shanghai.
LOT is suspending service from Warsaw to Beijing.
🗞️ In the news
Boeing delays 777X program until 2026, announces 10% workforce reduction, and plans to end 767 production.
United Airlines pushes expected delivery of first Boeing 737 MAX 10 to 2026, indicating continued delays in the aircraft's certification and entry into service.
Feature
Raleigh Municipal Airport
In 1943, as World War II raged across the globe, a significant transition in aviation infrastructure took place in North Carolina's capital. Raleigh-Durham Airport opened its runways, marking the beginning of the end for one of the city's first commercial airfields, Raleigh Municipal Airport.
The shift was inevitable. Raleigh Municipal, boxed in by railroad tracks and encroaching urban development, had reached its limits. Its 2,100-foot runways, once adequate for the small aircraft of the 1930s, now struggled to accommodate the larger, more powerful planes of the 1940s. The airport that had served as Raleigh's gateway to the skies for over a decade simply couldn't keep pace with the rapid advancements in aviation technology.
The new Raleigh-Durham Airport, by contrast, offered room to grow. Built on a vast tract of land between Raleigh and Durham, it boasted longer runways and modern facilities capable of handling the demands of modern commercial aviation.
This transition from Raleigh Municipal to Raleigh-Durham Airport wasn't just a change in location; it represented the evolution of aviation in the region. The story of Raleigh Municipal begins in 1929, when the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk was still a recent memory in North Carolina.
Raleigh Municipal Airport was a joint venture between the City of Raleigh and Curtiss-Wright Flying Service and was constructed by the Works Progress Administration. The involvement of Curtiss-Wright, a name closely associated with the Wright Brothers themselves, gave the new airport an air of importance from its very inception.
The airport's opening on September 19, 1929, was marked by Annie Underwood, Raleigh's first female pilot, christening the "City of Raleigh" with a bottle of mineral water (Prohibition was ongoing). At just 16 years old, and having made her first solo flight only 18 days earlier, Underwood had flown in from New York in four hours. The plane she piloted, "The City of Raleigh," was a former US Army bomber converted to passenger service.
This event was more than just a ceremonial opening— it was the dawn of commercial aviation in Raleigh. Shortly after, Eastern Air Transport began offering daily service to New York from the new Raleigh Municipal Airport.
Initial one-way fares were about $28 (equivalent to about $475 today), though they were expected to decrease as ridership and plane sizes increased.
The airport quickly became a hub of activity. Eastern Air Transport had introduced regular commercial flights, and in 1931, Amelia Earhart, fresh from her transatlantic flight, arrived to christen the "City of Columbia" for the Curtiss-Wright Flying Service. Her visit further cemented Raleigh Municipal's place on the map of America's growing commercial aviation network.
As the 1930s progressed, so did the airport. Three paved runways formed a triangle, accompanied by a hangar and other facilities. For Raleigh residents, it was a window into the future. Families would visit on weekends, marveling at the aircraft and dreaming of far-off destinations.
The outbreak of World War II brought changes. The Army Air Corps commandeered aircraft and the airport became a vital link in the wartime transportation network, with airlines prioritizing military cargo and personnel. Robert Phillip Upchurch remembered the time in his memoirs, “From City Shadows.”
Early in my youth at about 12, probably in the summer of 1940, I had a firsthand look at our U. S. Army in action. Our country was awakening to the war clouds on the horizon. The extensive maneuvers of that season brought an anti-aircraft battery to our neighborhood. They were pretending to protect the airfield known as the Raleigh Municipal Airport. They ran telephone wires on the road down to Inwood Church, there turning east to Aunt Bessie (Upchurch) Perry’s land. There they had a gun emplacement and tents for the gunners. My bicycle allowed me to monitor the progress of this operation. Everyone, soldiers and neighbors alike along with wide-eyed young boys enjoyed this playing of war. Little did we understand how WWII would soon engulf the world in its throes.
But even as it served the war effort, Raleigh Municipal's limitations were becoming increasingly apparent.
In 1940, Eddie Rickenbacker, a famed WWI ace and the current president of Eastern Airlines, took out a full-page newspaper ad encouraging residents of Raleigh and neighboring Durham to come together to build a shared airport. The pitch was compelling and construction began on the new airport located midway between the two cities.
While under construction, the federal government took control of the site for the war effort, and designated the base Raleigh-Durham Army Air Field. Barracks were constructed on site, and the airfield was used as a training facility, but airlines were still permitted access.
And so, in 1943, Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) opened its runways, and the transition began. Commercial traffic shifted to the new facility, leaving Raleigh Municipal to serve general aviation. Eastern Airlines, which had been a cornerstone of Raleigh Municipal's operations, was among the first to make the move.
Eastern noted the shift in their new timetables for September 1943, labeling the new destination as Raleigh-Durham in recognition of the joint effort between the two municipalities.
As World War II drew to a close, more airlines recognized the potential of the new airport. Capital Airlines began service at RDU in 1947, expanding the airport's reach, with Piedmont Airlines joining the roster the following year. This increase in carriers and routes marked a significant upgrade from the limited service available at Raleigh Municipal.
The 1950s saw steady growth, culminating in the opening of RDU's first terminal in 1955. This modern facility, a far cry from the modest accommodations at Raleigh Municipal, signaled that RDU was ready to handle the increasing demands of post-war air travel.
Meanwhile, Raleigh Municipal Airport's role in commercial aviation was coming to an end. The airport soldiered on for nearly three more decades, hosting private planes and flight training operations. But its role in Raleigh's aviation story was waning, overshadowed by the growing prominence of its younger, larger counterpart.
In 1972, Raleigh Municipal Airport closed to air traffic. The following year, Norfolk Southern Corporation acquired the property, and the hangar and administration building were demolished. For years, remnants of the runways remained visible, silent markers of the airport's past. But by the early 21st century, even these traces had vanished, replaced by shopping centers and housing developments.
Today, while Raleigh Municipal Airport exists only in memories and old photographs, its legacy lives on. Curtiss-Wright, the company that helped establish the airport, still operates in aviation, now based in Davidson, North Carolina. And Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the successor to Raleigh Municipal, has grown into a major transportation hub, serving millions of passengers each year.
Raleigh Municipal Airport may be gone, but it played a crucial role in connecting Raleigh to the early age of commercial aviation. ✈
Let's explore this week's noteworthy events that are shaping the future of air travel.
Routes of note
The most significant new routes and service changes this week, offering insight into strategic expansions and market shifts.
🇦🇪 Dubai (DXB) – 🇩🇰 Copenhagen (CPH) via Emirates, Q1 2025
Emirates' resumption of A380 service on this route signals a significant capacity increase and suggests strong demand recovery in the Scandinavian market. This move could have substantial implications for tourism and business travel between Northern Europe and the Middle East, as well as for connecting traffic to Asia and Australia via Dubai. It may also pressure other carriers on competing routes to adjust their strategies.🇯🇵 Tokyo (NRT) – 🇺🇸 Houston (IAH) via ZIPAIR, March 2025
ZIPAIR's entry into the U.S. market with this long-haul, low-cost service represents a major development. This new route could disrupt pricing on transpacific flights, potentially stimulating new demand between Japan and Texas. It may also challenge established carriers on this corridor and lead to increased competition in the growing low-cost, long-haul segment.🇺🇸 Washington D.C. (IAD) – 🇬🇭 Accra (ACC) via United Airlines, Q1 2025
United's increased service to Ghana signifies growing importance of the African market for major U.S. carriers. This expansion could stimulate business and tourism ties between the U.S. and West Africa, potentially leading to further network growth in the region. It may also intensify competition with other carriers serving Africa from North America.🇩🇰 Copenhagen (CPH) – 🇨🇳 Shanghai (PVG) via SAS, November 2024
SAS's cancellation of this long-haul route suggests ongoing challenges in the Europe-China market. This change could have broader implications for Scandinavian-Asian connectivity and may reflect shifting priorities in SAS's network strategy. It could also create opportunities for other carriers to fill the gap in this market.🇵🇱 Warsaw (WAW) – 🇨🇳 Beijing (PEK) via LOT Polish Airlines, NW24
LOT's suspension of service to Beijing underscores the persistent challenges in the Europe-China market. This change could have wider implications for EU-China connectivity and may reflect geopolitical or economic tensions affecting air travel demand. It also highlights the ongoing uncertainties facing European carriers in their long-haul Asian operations.
In the news
The latest and most impactful stories shaping the world of commercial aviation this week.
OCTOBER 10TH, 2024
Air India expands fleet with major order of 85 Airbus A320s and A350s - Simple Flying
Air India placed a massive order for over $6 billion in aircraft, including 85 Airbus A320s and A350s. This significant fleet expansion signifies Air India's ambitious growth plans under new ownership and will impact the competitive landscape in the Indian aviation market.
OCTOBER 11TH, 2024
Boeing delays 777X program until 2026, announces major restructuring - Simple Flying
Boeing announced a delay in the 777X program until 2026, plans to cut its workforce by 10%, and will end 767 production. This significant restructuring signals ongoing challenges for the aerospace giant and will impact future aircraft deliveries to airlines worldwide.Delta Air Lines launches new Minneapolis-Copenhagen route - Delta News Hub Delta announced a new nonstop service from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Copenhagen starting May 2025, operating three times weekly. This expansion strengthens Delta's European network and its partnership with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), offering more options for transatlantic travelers.
United Airlines pushes Boeing 737 MAX 10 delivery to 2026 - Simple Flying
United Airlines now expects its first Boeing 737 MAX 10 delivery in 2026, indicating further delays in the aircraft's certification and entry into service. This postponement affects United's fleet modernization plans and highlights ongoing challenges with Boeing's 737 MAX program.
OCTOBER 12TH, 2024
Boeing pushes 777-8F freighter entry into service to 2028 - Cargo Facts
Boeing has delayed the entry into service of its new 777-8F freighter from 2027 to 2028. This delay impacts the air cargo market and Boeing's competitiveness in the freighter segment against Airbus, potentially influencing future orders from cargo operators.
✈
Thank you for reading.
Flightlines will be back next week with more insights and updates from the world of commercial aviation.
Until then, safe travels and happy flying!
Here's what I discovered . . . Annie Laurie Underwood was born in 1913, in Durham, NC to Harrison Aubrey Underwood (of Tennessee) and Rosa Lee Turner. She lived in Raleigh and married Norwood Cobb Mood (born 1909 in Sumter, SC) who was reportedly the manager of Raleigh Municipal Airport.
She moved to Dallas TX in 1958 and died in Collin TX in 1986.
Maybe my fave so far - a treasure trove of great old photos (would love to know what became of the giant RALEIGH sign on the roof of the hangar in the 1929 photo) and fun facts. Go, 16 yr old lady pilot! And Upchurches! Would love to see where the old airport was on a map - but will still forward to SC and tell her it was somewhere near her house..