Charlotte, Nc: Exploring Alternative Airport Options

Charlotte, North Carolina is served by Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), which is located roughly 6-7 miles west of the city centre. It is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. However, there are several other airports in the vicinity that travellers may consider as alternatives to CLT, including Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). These airports offer convenient access to nearby cities and landmarks, with GSP being the nearest alternative to CLT, located approximately 76 miles away.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in 1954 in honour of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who oversaw the airport's opening. In 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

In 2019, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, having processed over 50 million passengers. It is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights.

The airport has a variety of amenities and services, including a currency exchange and ATMs. It is also one of the few airports in the United States with a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes take off, land, and taxi.

The airport has a rich history, including several renovations and expansions over the years. It has also been used by various airlines, including Eastern Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, which now has two Admirals Club locations in Concourses B and C.

Concord Regional Airport

Concord–Padgett Regional Airport is a public-use airport located 7 nautical miles (13 km or 8.1 miles) west of Concord's central business district, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The airport is city-owned and is classified as a reliever airport for Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The airport covers 750 acres of land at an elevation of 705 feet above mean sea level. It has one runway, designated 2/20, with a surface measuring 7,402 by 100 feet. The airport is sometimes referred to as "NASCAR's Airport" due to its proximity to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the fact that multiple race car teams base their aircraft fleets there.

In the 12 months ending May 31, 2022, the airport recorded 86,654 aircraft operations, averaging 237 per day. There were 233 aircraft based at the airport during this period, including 161 single-engine, 29 multi-engine, 35 jet, and 8 helicopter aircraft.

The airport was expanded in the early 2000s to accommodate mid-size commercial aircraft. Local NASCAR teams charter flights out of Concord–Padgett Regional Airport due to its affordability and proximity to their headquarters.

On August 20, 2013, Allegiant Air announced it would begin nonstop jet service between Concord and Orlando Sanford International Airport, with the first flight in December 2013. The airline has since expanded its nonstop service to several vacation destinations in Florida and New Orleans. A larger permanent commercial service terminal was opened in October 2016. On March 4, 2020, Allegiant announced that Concord would become its 21st operating base, housing two Airbus planes from October 7, 2020.

Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport

Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport (ICAO: KEQY, FAA LID: EQY) is a public airport located five nautical miles (or 9km) northwest of Monroe, a city in North Carolina's Union County. It is owned by the City of Monroe and was formerly known as Monroe Regional Airport.

The airport is a reliever airport for Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. It covers 206 acres of land (83 hectares) and sits at an elevation of 683 feet (208 metres) above sea level. Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport has one runway, designated 5/23, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,001 by 100 feet (2,134 x 30 metres).

In the 12 months ending September 4, 2021, the airport recorded 56,100 aircraft operations, averaging 154 per day. General aviation accounted for 91% of these operations, air taxi 7%, and military 1%. As of October 18, 2007, the City of Monroe was seeking state and federal funding for $25 million in improvements to the airport, including extending the runway to 7,500 feet, adding hangars, and expanding the terminal.

Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport

Charlotte, North Carolina is served primarily by the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. However, the city and its surrounding areas have other airports catering to different aviation needs. One such airport is the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport.

About the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport

The Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport (ICAO: KIPJ, FAA LID: IPJ) is a public airport located about 5 nautical miles (9 km) east of Lincolnton's central business district in Lincoln County, North Carolina. The airport is jointly owned by the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County. It covers 453 acres (183 ha) of land and sits at an elevation of 877 feet (267 m) above sea level.

Facilities and Services

The airport has one runway, designated 5/23, with an asphalt surface measuring 5,500 by 100 feet (1,676 x 30 m). It offers aviation gas and jet fuel, an after-hours pilot's lounge, aircraft rental and maintenance, aircraft storage, tie-down space, an on-site courtesy car, and a DUATS computer for weather updates.

Airport Operations and Aircraft

During the 12-month period ending June 6, 2008, the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport recorded 34,100 aircraft operations, averaging 93 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (97%), with a small percentage being military flights (3%). At that time, there were 71 aircraft based at the airport, comprising 87% single-engine, 10% multi-engine, and 3% helicopter.

Airport Authority

The Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport is managed by the Airport Authority, which has the administrative authority to control, lease, maintain, construct, improve, operate, and regulate the airport. The City of Lincolnton appoints one board member to the Airport Authority.

Charlotte Airport Industrial

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located 6 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina's central business district, is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and has 3 operating runways, 1 non-operating runway, and 1 passenger terminal with 124 gates across 5 concourses. Charlotte is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates most of the airport's flights.

The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and was later renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in honour of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who oversaw the airport's opening. In 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

In 2019, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers. The airport is currently undergoing a major overhaul as part of the Destination CLT airport development plan, which represents a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth.

The Charlotte Airport Industrial Parcel, located near the airport, was recently purchased by J.B. Hunt Transport for $10.75 million. The site sits directly west of the airport near Interstate 485 and neighbours SunPoint CLT, a 373,950-square-foot industrial building.

Frequently asked questions