Airports In North Carolina: A Comprehensive Guide

North Carolina is home to 11 airports offering commercial flights, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Piedmont Triad International Airport. These airports handle more than 70 million passengers each year, with Charlotte Airport being the only large-sized one. In this article, we will explore the major and minor airports located in North Carolina, providing an overview of their locations, passenger numbers, and the airlines that operate from them.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

History

Operations and Facilities

The airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land and is operated by the city of Charlotte's aviation department. It features three operating runways, one non-operating runway, and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses. American Airlines and its regional subsidiary American Eagle operate the majority of the airport's flights, with American Airlines using the airport as a fortress hub. Charlotte Douglas International Airport 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.

Statistics

In 2019, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was the 11th-busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, handling over 50 million passengers. It was also the fifth-busiest in terms of aircraft operations, ranking sixth globally. The airport has continued to grow, and in 2021, it became the sixth busiest airport in the United States.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

As of 2024, Raleigh-Durham International Airport ranks 35th in passenger arrivals and departures in the US, serving over 15.5 million passengers and offering passenger service to more than 70 destinations, including 14 international destinations in eleven countries. There are approximately 400 daily flights, with around 70 airlines operating at the airport. In addition to flights to various US cities, the airport also offers seasonal flights to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and major European cities.

The airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with a total of 45 gates. Terminal 1 has nine gates (A1-A9), while Terminal 2 has 36 gates with concourses C and D. Terminal 2 is the only terminal that hosts international arrivals, utilising gates C21 and C23-C25. Airlines operating from Terminal 1 include Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. Terminal 2 hosts a variety of international carriers, including Aeroméxico Connect, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Lufthansa.

The history of Raleigh-Durham International Airport dates back to 1929 when the region's first airport, Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened south of Raleigh. However, this airport was quickly outgrown, and the Raleigh–Durham Aeronautical Authority was established in 1939 to build and operate a larger airport between Raleigh and Durham. The new Raleigh–Durham Airport commenced operations on May 1, 1943, with Eastern Airlines as one of its initial carriers. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, with new carriers and destinations added. Today, it is the second-largest airport in North Carolina, providing convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike.

Piedmont Triad International Airport

The history of Piedmont Triad International Airport dates back to 1927 when the Tri-City Airport Commission chose a site near the community of Friendship for an airport. The Greensboro and Guilford County governments jointly acquired the property, naming it Lindley Field in May 1927. Charles Lindbergh visited Lindley Field with the Spirit of St. Louis during his cross-country tour. Regular airmail service commenced in 1928, followed by passenger service in 1930. After a brief closure during the Great Depression, the airport reopened in 1937 with two all-weather runways.

In 1942, the Greensboro-High Point Airport Authority assumed responsibility for the airport, and the Army Air Corps requisitioned it for military use during World War II. Civilian operations resumed after the war, and a new passenger terminal opened in 1958. During the 1970s, the airport underwent a series of name changes, eventually becoming the Greensboro–High Point–Winston-Salem Regional Airport.

The current terminal complex was completed in 1982, and the facility was renamed Piedmont Triad International Airport in 1987. The terminal building has 26 passenger gates: 14 on the north concourse and 12 on the south concourse. The top level includes ticketing, security, boarding, and concession areas, while the bottom floor houses baggage claim and ground transportation.

Asheville Regional Airport

The airport initially opened in 1961 with a 6500-foot runway, replacing a former airport. The terminal building opened on June 7, 1961, and a $20 million expansion and renovation project began in 1987, which included the expansion of the ticket lobby, baggage claim area, and administrative office space. The airport's runway can handle almost any aircraft, including the Concorde supersonic transport, which visited during a promotional tour in 1987. The airport has also welcomed chartered Boeing 747s and an Airbus A340.

The airport covers 900 acres and has one asphalt runway measuring 8,002 ft × 150 ft (2,439 m × 46 m). In the year ending March 31, 2023, the airport recorded 80,199 aircraft operations, averaging 220 per day. The airport serves various airlines and destinations, including Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, and many more.

Albert J Ellis Airport

Albert J. Ellis Airport (IATA: OAJ, ICAO: KOAJ, FAA LID: OAJ) is a county-owned public-use airport in Onslow County, North Carolina. It is located in Richlands, 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Jacksonville and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The airport serves as a convenient option for those in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.

Albert J. Ellis Airport first opened on February 15, 1971, and has been proudly connecting passengers to their destinations for over 50 years. The airport covers an area of 775 acres (314 ha) at an elevation of 94 ft (29 m) above mean sea level. It has a single runway, designated 5/23, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,100 by 150 ft (2,164 by 46 m). The airport is used by general aviation, the military, and two commercial airlines: American Eagle and Delta Connection.

The airport offers convenient flight options and exceptional amenities to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. It features comfortable and spacious waiting areas equipped with Wi-Fi and charging stations, a restaurant with a full-service bar, gift shops, and on-site car rental services. The airport also has a dedicated lounge for military personnel.

In 2013, Albert J. Ellis Airport began construction on a two-story, 67,000 sq ft (6,200 m2) replacement passenger terminal building, which officially opened on August 19, 2015. The new terminal features passenger loading bridges, new concessions, expanded passenger areas, and space for additional airlines. The airport also constructed its first air traffic control tower, which opened on November 1, 2018.

Albert J. Ellis Airport is known for its convenience, friendly staff, and clean facilities. It provides quick and hassle-free check-in processes, convenient parking, and competitive prices. The airport is highly regarded by travellers, with many praising its ease of navigation, efficiency, and welcoming atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions