Lois Larson
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the main airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the few hub airports in the world with an aviation museum on the field. The airport, which opened in 1936 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, has grown significantly over the years and is now a major economic contributor to the state of North Carolina. With a range of bus services and rental car facilities, the airport serves millions of passengers each year, with a record of 50.2 million passengers in 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| Address | 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway Charlotte, NC 28219 |
| Main Terminal Opening Hours | 3 a.m. – 10:45 p.m. |
| Baggage Claim | Zone A Outside relief area |
| Location | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| History | The airport was originally called Charlotte Municipal Airport when it opened in 1936 with three runways, a hangar, and one terminal building. In 1941, during World War II, the US Army Air Force took control and it was renamed the Charlotte Air Base. In 1954, a new two-story passenger terminal was built and the airport was renamed the Douglas Municipal Airport. In 1979, Piedmont Airlines chose Charlotte as its hub and the airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 1982. |
| Public Transport | The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates two bus routes from the airport terminal: Route 5-Airport (Sprinter) and Route 60-Tyvola Road. |
| Real ID | Required at Security Checkpoints |
| Economic Impact | Contributes over $32 billion to the state's economy |
| Passengers | 50.2 million in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's history
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving Charlotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding area. The airport is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte's central business district and is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the metropolitan area.
The airport was established in the 1930s as a municipal airfield for the greater Charlotte area. Building work began in 1930 and was completed in 1935 or 1936, at a cost of around $200,000. The airport was originally known as Charlotte Municipal Airport, but it was later renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in honour of Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who was mayor of Charlotte when the airport was built. The airport opened for civil flights, but during World War II, the US Army Air Forces took control and established Charlotte Air Base in 1941. The facility was returned to the City of Charlotte in 1946, and in 1954, a new 70,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened.
In 1979, Piedmont Airlines chose Charlotte as the hub for its expanding network, and a new terminal building was developed. The airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 1982, and over the next few years, Concourses A, B, and C were added to handle increased traffic. In 1987, Piedmont started non-stop flights to London, and in 1989, the airline merged with USAir. A new international and commuter concourse (Concourse D) opened in 1990, and further expansion of the central terminal building continued into the 1990s.
Today, Charlotte Douglas International Airport continues to be a major hub for American Airlines, offering a unique array of benefits along the US East Coast. The airport has a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes take off and land, and it is also home to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which features a collection of over 50 aircraft and an extensive aviation library.
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Transport to and from the airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the main airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the world's major "hub" airports and is located at 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28219.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates two bus routes from the airport terminal:
- Route 5-Airport (Sprinter) to Uptown Charlotte/CTC
- Route 60-Tyvola Road to LYNX Tyvola station
There is also a bus service to the air cargo centre, maintenance facilities, and old terminal via Route 10-West Boulevard, which goes to the Charlotte Transportation Center in the centre of the city. The proposed Lynx Silver Line would also serve the airport, travelling along a route that largely follows the Sprinter route.
The Rental Car Facility is located in front of the airport terminal and operates across three levels of the Hourly Deck. It offers a combined 3,000 cars from eight rental car companies: Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also one of the few major "hub" airports in the world with an aviation museum on-site.
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The airport's economic impact
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a major "hub" airport, serving more than 50 million passengers in 2019, a record for the airport. In 2023, this number grew to 53 million. The airport is the second-largest hub for American Airlines, the world's largest airline, and has been expanding its facilities over the years, with a $2.5 billion investment in the Destination CLT airport development plan.
The airport has a significant economic impact on the region, contributing an estimated $32 billion to the state's economy in 2021, a 30% increase over 2019. This figure rose to $40 billion in 2023, according to a study by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University. This accounts for 5% of the state's gross domestic product. The airport also generates nearly half of the estimated $72 billion contributed annually to the North Carolina economy from all its public airports.
The economic benefits extend beyond North Carolina, with the airport having a $3.2 billion economic impact on South Carolina and supporting 17,330 jobs in the state. In total, the airport supported more than 184,000 jobs in 2023, a significant increase from the 151,575 jobs supported in 2021. The airport also generated $9.9 billion in personal income in 2021, rising to $15.2 billion in North Carolina in 2023.
In terms of tax revenue, the airport created $1.82 billion in 2021, increasing to $2.1 billion in 2023. These funds are vital for the state's economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life for the community. The airport's CEO, Haley Gentry, has emphasised the airport's role as a top economic driver, and its plans for future investments to further enhance this impact.
The airport's impact on the region's economy is also felt through job creation, attracting new companies, and providing numerous nonstop destinations for business and leisure travel. The availability of efficient air service has a ripple effect on the local economy, benefiting various industries and contributing to the overall prosperity of the area.
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Concourse expansions
The main airport in Charlotte is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airport has undergone several concourse expansions over the years to accommodate its growing number of passengers.
In 1982, a new 325,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened, and the airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Concourses B and C were expanded in 1987 and 1984, respectively, while Concourse A was built in 1986 to handle future growth. In 1990, a new international and commuter concourse (Concourse D) opened, followed by the expansion of the central terminal building in 1991.
In 1999, plans were announced for the construction of Concourse E, a regional carrier concourse, and the expansion of Concourses A and D. The 32-gate Concourse E opened in 2002, along with an expanded main ticketing hall. In 2003, Concourse D was expanded by nine gates.
Between 2007 and 2015, the airport completed $1.5 billion worth of construction projects, including the CLT 2015 plan. As part of this plan, Concourse A North, a nine-gate expansion, was completed in summer 2018, adding 34,000 square feet of hold room, concessions space, and support space.
In 2019, the East Terminal Expansion opened, adding 51,000 square feet of passenger amenity space across three levels. The main level features a food court, while the upper level includes a Centurion Lounge.
In September 2024, the airport opened the second phase of its Concourse A expansion, adding 10 more gates at a cost of $241 million. The third phase of the Concourse A expansion is expected to add six to eight more gates, with a similar cost to the second phase. Future expansion plans for Concourses B and C are also in the works, aiming to add a total of 20-24 gates over the next 10-12 years.
In addition to concourse expansions, the airport is also undergoing a $608 million terminal lobby expansion and a new $1 billion runway project, transforming its "front door" and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
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Airport amenities
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the main airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The airport is one of the major "hub" airports in the world with an aviation museum located on its field. Charlotte Douglas International Airport has a range of amenities for passengers, including:
Transportation
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. Additionally, there is a bus service to the air cargo centre, maintenance facilities, and old terminal via Route 10-West Boulevard to the Charlotte Transportation Centre in centre city Charlotte. A rental car facility is also located in front of the airport terminal, offering a wide range of options from eight different rental car companies.
Dining and Lounges
The East Terminal Expansion, opened in November 2019, features "The Plaza", a food court with a hanging artwork centerpiece entitled "Loops" by Christian Moeller. The upper level of the East Terminal Expansion includes a Centurion Lounge.
Art Installations
The airport boasts several impressive art installations. Concourse A North features a digital artwork titled "Interconnected" by Refik Anadol across three massive display screens. The artwork is always changing, drawing from the airport's data network of aircraft movements. At 139 feet long, the main screen is one of the largest digital artworks of its kind in the world.
Other Amenities
The airport also offers other essential amenities such as currency exchange and ATMs, charging stations, and a lost and found department.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Charlotte is called Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The airport, originally named Charlotte Municipal Airport, first opened in 1936 with three runways, a hangar, and one terminal building.
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.
