CLT is receiving $32 million for Concourse E renovations from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminals Program through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The concourse modernization will include new carpet in gate areas, terrazzo flooring in main passenger circulation areas, new LED lighting, seating with integrated power, fresh paint, new ceiling panels, improved wayfinding signage and the replacement of three moving walkways. Restrooms will receive a refresh as well.
Renovations are scheduled to begin in January 2024 and wrap up in early 2027. The project is approximately $40 million. The remaining costs will be funded via General Airport Revenue Bonds.
The Airport underwent similar makeovers for Concourses A, B and C from 2017 through 2020. Currently, Concourse D renovations are in the design phase and tapped to start this fall and finish in 2025. The upgrades will mimic the other concourses. All of these renovations fall under CLT’s $3.1 billion capital investment program known as Destination CLT.
“We are very excited to receive $32 million from the FAA,” said Haley Gentry, CLT’s CEO. “These funds will directly benefit our passengers, who will experience the upgrades first-hand. Concourse E has never been renovated since it was built in 2002, and it’s time to bring it up to the standards of the rest of the terminal.“
Concourse E is CLT’s busiest concourse serving more than 450 daily arrivals and departures. It mostly houses regional jets operated by American Airlines’ affiliates.
“As strong demand for air travel continues, there’s no better time to improve our airports, and we are thrilled that the recent announcement includes Concourse E at Charlotte (Douglas) International Airport – a critically important hub in American’s global network,” said Nate Gatten, American’s chief government affairs officer. “These enhancements will improve the travel experience for our loyal customers who choose to fly to and from CLT, as well as those connecting from throughout the world,” Gatten said. “Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration and the FAA for their commitment to modernizing airport infrastructure, as well as CLT Airport for their continued partnership.”
It’s not the only upgrade for the concourse. Last May, a 34,000-square-foot expansion opened on Concourse E (Gates E 36-45). The $50 million construction project added one gate to the north end of the concourse and relocated nine existing gates to the new space for operational efficiency and to prepare for jet bridges, which will be added to every gate by the end of this year.