Airports In Charlotte, Nc: A Comprehensive Guide

Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to several airports, including the primary airport Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), which is one of the busiest airports in the United States. In addition to CLT, there are several other major and regional airports in Charlotte, including Concord Regional Airport, Wilgrove Airport, and Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport. These airports offer a range of facilities and services, catering to both commercial and military aviation needs in the Charlotte metropolitan area. With a variety of options, Charlotte's airports serve as important transportation hubs for the region.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport for Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who was mayor of Charlotte when the airport was first constructed. In 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name.

In 2019, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing 50.2 million passengers and ranking 5th busiest in terms of aircraft operations, placing 6th globally. The airport has three runways and a terminal located on Josh Birmingham Parkway, which connects to Wilkinson Boulevard, Little Rock Road, and Billy Graham Parkway.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates two bus routes from the airport terminal: Route 5-Airport (Sprinter) to Uptown Charlotte/CTC and Route 60-Tyvola Road to LYNX Tyvola station. There is also bus service to the air cargo centre, maintenance facilities, and old terminal via Route 10-West Boulevard.

The airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation projects. In April 1975, the airport had 97 weekday departures to 32 destinations on seven airlines. After airline deregulation, passenger numbers nearly doubled between 1978 and 1980, leading to the addition of a new 10,000-foot (3,000 m) parallel runway and control tower in 1979.

More recently, the East Terminal Expansion opened in November 2019, adding 51,000 square feet (4,700 m2) of passenger amenity space across three levels, with "The Plaza" food court as its artistic centerpiece. A $90 million terminal renovation project for Concourses A, B, C, and D, as well as the Atrium, is currently underway. This includes replacing carpets with terrazzo, upgrading lighting, remodelling bathrooms, and installing new seats with charging capabilities. The $600 million project is expected to be completed in 2025 and will consolidate security checkpoints and remodel the baggage claim and ticketing areas.

Concord Regional Airport

Charlotte, North Carolina, is served by Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. However, there are several other airports in the area, including Concord Regional Airport.

In the 12-month period ending May 31, 2022, the airport had 86,654 aircraft operations, with an average of 237 per day. The breakdown of these operations is as follows: 87% general aviation, 9% air taxi, 1% military, and 4% scheduled commercial. During this time, there were 233 aircraft based at the airport, including 161 single-engine, 29 multi-engine, 35 jet, and 8 helicopter aircraft.

Wilgrove Airport

Charlotte, North Carolina, is served by several airports, including the primary Charlotte Douglas International Airport, as well as the Wilgrove Air Park, which was previously open to the public.

During the 12-month period ending on September 20, 2007, Wilgrove Airport recorded 16,100 aircraft operations, averaging 44 flights per day. The majority of these operations, constituting 99%, fell under general aviation, while the remaining 1% was attributed to military use. According to statistics from the same period, the airport was home to 50 based aircraft, with 94% of them being single-engine and the remaining 6% being multi-engine.

The IATA code assigned to Wilgrove Airport was QWG, and its FAA LID was 8A6. However, the airport permanently ceased operations in 2020, and it no longer serves as an aviation facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On the other hand, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), located about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district, is the primary airport serving Charlotte. This airport is a significant hub for both commercial and military aviation in the Charlotte metropolitan area. With a vast land coverage of 5,558 acres (2,249 hectares), it accommodated over 50 million passengers in 2019, ranking as the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic.

Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport

Charlotte, North Carolina, is served by multiple airports, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Concord Regional Airport, Wilgrove Airport, Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport, and more. This response will focus on the Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport.

The airport boasts a 2,500 sq. ft. federal inspection station, constructed to meet federal security and safety standards. This facility includes secure offices for CBP officers and secure storage. Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport also hosts the annual Warbirds Over Monroe air show, attracting thousands of visitors to the city each Veterans Day weekend.

For private pilots or those seeking a more intimate flying experience, Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport provides an ideal alternative to larger commercial airports in the region. The airport's amenities and services cater to both passengers and crew, ensuring a comfortable and efficient travel experience.

If you require additional information or wish to schedule an arrival at Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport, you can contact U.S. Customs at 704-329-6120 or the airport directly at 704-226-2300.

Carolinas Medical Center Heliport

Charlotte, North Carolina, is served by Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. The airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land and has three runways. It is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

In addition to the international airport, there are several other airports in the Charlotte, NC area, including Concord Regional Airport, Wilgrove Airport, and Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport.

One of the airports in Charlotte, NC, is the Carolinas Medical Center Heliport. This facility is located at the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center and has three roof-top helipads used strictly for authorized Air Medical Helicopter Services. These helipads are reserved for transporting critically ill or injured patients to the hospital and cannot be used by private or charter helicopter services. The maximum gross weight limitation for Helipad 1 and 2 is 10,000 lbs, while Helipad 3 can accommodate up to 11,000 lbs.

MedCenter Air, which operates the Carolinas Medical Center Heliport, has four helicopter bases in North and South Carolina, located in Concord, Hickory, Wadesboro, and Rock Hill. These bases are open 24 hours a day, year-round, and their helicopters operate within a 150-mile radius of each base. The helicopters are equipped to respond to both on-scene and interfacility emergencies and are fitted with advanced medical equipment, including cardiac monitors, ventilators, and intra-aortic balloon pumps.

To ensure safe operations, Carolinas Medical Center Heliport provides educational opportunities for the community, such as Landing Zone Operations (LZ Ops). This training includes lectures and hands-on instruction on establishing safe landing zones for air medical helicopters and coordinating EMS operations around the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions