Clt Airport: A Sprawling Aviation Hub In Charlotte

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is among the world's busiest airports, ranked 7th in the US for air traffic and 10th in the world for passenger traffic. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and is located 6 miles west of Charlotte's central business district. While it is not as big as other major airports in the US, it is still considered a major airport. CLT offers nonstop air service to more than 179 destinations and is home to 8 major airlines, 15 regional carriers, and 3 foreign flag carriers.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

CLT is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights. The airport has 3 operating runways and 1 non-operating runway, and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across 5 concourses. It is a commercial-civil-military facility, serving as the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. It is also home to the Charlotte Air National Guard base and its host unit, the 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard.

In 2019, CLT was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers, and the fifth busiest in terms of aircraft operations, ranking sixth globally. In 2021, it grew to become the sixth busiest airport in the US. According to the Airports Council International 2022 report, CLT ranked 7th in the US for air traffic and 10th nationwide and 19th worldwide in passenger traffic. The airport offers nonstop air service to more than 179 destinations around the globe and is home to 7-8 major air carriers, 15 regional carriers, and three foreign flag carriers.

The airport has undergone significant development in recent years, including the completion of the "CLT 2015" plan, which kicked off construction of the new Destination CLT airport development plan. This represented a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth. The East Terminal Expansion, which opened in November 2019, added 51,000 square feet (4,700 m2) of space, primarily for passenger amenities. The airport also boasts nearly 25,000 parking spots, although these fill up quickly during peak times.

Busiest airports worldwide

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is among the world's busiest airports. While it is not as big as other major airports in the US, it is still a major airport. In 2023, Airports Council International ranked it as the seventh busiest airport worldwide for the number of arrivals and departures, and ninth in North America for passengers. Globally, CLT's passenger traffic ranks 22nd. The airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land.

In 2024, the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, which has been the busiest airport every year since 1998, except in 2020 due to COVID-19. In 2024, it served 62,743,665 passengers, a 2% rise from 2023. 2150 flights conduct daily operations, serving 386,000 people every day.

In 2024, Heathrow Airport in London, the busiest city airport system by passenger count, reached 6.5 million passengers in November, a new record for that month. Heathrow is a major hub that connects worldwide air transportation.

DFW International Airport in Dallas, Texas, was the third busiest airport in 2024, serving more than 51,516,707 passengers.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) was the tenth busiest airport in 2024, serving 46,992,360 passengers.

Other notable mentions include Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which was the ninth busiest airport in 2024, serving 48,503,741 passengers, and Istanbul Airport, which was the most connected airport worldwide in 2024.

Passenger traffic

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. In 2019, it was the 11th busiest airport in the US in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers. By 2023, it had risen to become the 7th busiest airport in the world for arrivals and departures, and 9th in North America for passenger traffic. Globally, it ranked 22nd for passenger traffic, with a record-breaking 53.4 million passengers that year.

The airport's location in the southeastern United States makes it an ideal connecting point between the East Coast and various destinations in the West, as well as international locations. It is within a few hours' flight of several key metropolitan areas, including Washington DC, Orlando, and Miami. Charlotte is also a rapidly growing economic centre, particularly in finance, technology, and manufacturing, attracting business travellers from across the US.

The airport is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights. It offers nonstop flights to more than 186 destinations worldwide, including 39 international locations and three US territories. With 35 nonstop international destinations, passengers can travel to almost anywhere in the world without the inconvenience of a layover. The airport is also a major connecting hub, with the highest share of connecting passengers of any airport in the US at 70.5%.

To accommodate the increasing passenger traffic, the airport has been undergoing significant infrastructure development. The Destination CLT project is a $2.5-3.1 billion capital investment to accommodate passenger growth through 2035. This includes a $90 million terminal renovation project and a $600 million terminal lobby expansion, which is expected to be completed in 2025. The airport is also constructing a fourth parallel runway, projected to cost $1 billion, with completion expected in 2027.

Aircraft arrivals and departures

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is among the world's busiest airports. In 2023, Airports Council International ranked it the seventh busiest airport worldwide for aircraft arrivals and departures, and ninth in North America for passengers. Globally, CLT's passenger traffic ranked 22nd. The airport is home to seven major air carriers, 15 regional carriers, and three foreign flag carriers. It offers nonstop air service to more than 188 destinations worldwide.

In 2022, the airport recorded 505,589 annual aircraft arrivals and departures, with an annual passenger total of nearly 48 million. By 2024, aircraft arrivals and departures rose to 596,583, while passenger counts reached a record-breaking 58,811,725.

The airport has three operating runways and one non-operating runway. It has one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and is located roughly 6 miles west of Charlotte's central business district.

CLT has a wide range of parking options, with nearly 25,000 spots. However, these fill up quickly during peak times, such as Spring Break and holidays, when average daily occupancy is often above 90%. To address this, the airport introduced the Royalty Program, which offers loyal online booking customers perks such as guaranteed availability and better rates for advanced bookings.

The airport has undergone several expansion projects, including the East Terminal Expansion, which added 51,000 square feet of passenger amenity space across three levels. The main level features a food court, while the upper level houses a Centurion Lounge. Another notable expansion is Concourse A North, a nine-gate expansion completed in 2018, featuring digital artwork by Refik Anadol displayed on three massive screens.

The FAA is also constructing a new 367-foot control tower south of the CLT passenger terminal, which will be the second-tallest air traffic control tower in the United States and the ninth-tallest in the world. Additionally, planning is underway for a fourth parallel runway with a projected cost of $1 billion, slated to be completed by 2027.

Expansion plans

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is among the world's busiest airports. In 2023, it was ranked the seventh busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures, ninth in North America for passengers, and 22nd globally for passenger traffic.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has been undergoing a series of expansion projects to accommodate the increasing flight demands and ensure the airport can keep up with projected growth. Here are the key expansion plans:

Destination CLT: This is a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth, encompassing various projects. The Destination CLT project includes the following key components:

• Concourse A North: A nine-gate expansion completed in 2018, featuring digital artwork by Refik Anadol.
• Concourse A Expansion Phase II: This phase added the Crown Diner, a mid-century-style dining option for passengers.
• Terminal roadway: A new 139-foot roadway was opened in late 2019.
• Terminal Lobby Expansion: As part of the $600-million terminal expansion project, the lobby expansion is expected to be completed by 2025.
• East Terminal Expansion: Completed in November 2019, adding 51,000 square feet of space, including a food court and the Centurion Lounge.
• Concourse Renovations: A $90 million project to renovate Concourses A, B, C, D, and the Atrium, including upgrades to flooring, lighting, bathrooms, and seating.
• New Control Tower: The FAA is constructing a new 367-foot control tower, which will be the second-tallest in the US and ninth-tallest in the world.
• Fourth Parallel Runway: A $1 billion project for a new 10,000-foot runway, which broke ground in June 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Other Improvements:

In addition to the Destination CLT projects, the airport is also focusing on other improvements:

• Airport Overlook Project: A new overlook area is scheduled to be completed by 2024, offering views of runways, Charlotte's skyline, and the airport's terminals. It will feature playgrounds, a food truck staging area, and pet relief areas.
• Terminal Expansions: Future terminal expansion plans include Phase VIII of the Concourse E expansion and further expansions to Concourses B and other terminals.
• Airfield Improvements: With indoor projects nearing completion, the airport is shifting its focus to airfield improvements, including the construction of the fourth parallel runway.

These expansion plans aim to enhance the airport's capacity and improve efficiency, and provide a better experience for travellers passing through Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

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