Destination CLT encompasses the first phase of our Master Plan Update, a collaborative effort with our airline partners and the FAA. It represents a 3.1 billion capital investment in capacity enhancement projects.
Over the last 20 years, the presence and growth of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and its airline hub have resulted in CLT becoming not only one of the busiest airports in the U.S. but in the world. With a forward-thinking philosophy and a focus on constant growth, CLT sees itself as an Airport of the future. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the nation’s and world's busiest airports. Our growth has been remarkable, over the several years especially, increasing from 28 million total passengers in 2005 to a record-breaking 50,168,783 million total passengers in 2019. Passenger counts dropped during the height of the pandeminc, but are climbing back. In 2022, CLT hosted nearly 48 million passengers and handled 505,589 aircraft arrivals and departures.
Visit the CLT Environmental Impact Statement website for select Airport capital improvement projects.
As the project progresses and timelines adjust, costs and other construction-related items are possible. The information on this website is the more current approximation, however, changes are possible.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
This continued and sustained growth means CLT is at or near capacity. The airfield capacity enhancement study and terminal capacity enhancement study looked at possible and potential passenger growth forecasts and together form the Airport’s master plan. This plan defines the future and long-term airfield and terminal development and helps craft CLT’s construction and development through 2035.
The future master plan ensures the facilities and airfield will meet future growth and construction. The plan continues to reflect Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s mission. Development and construction will be demand-driven. We will build what we need when it is needed. We will remain cost-competitive and financially sustainable – no general tax dollars will be used. The Aviation Department will work closely with our airline partners and others to develop this plan. We will quantify the benefits and costs of additional development and define the phases of development.
The Navigator
Destination CLT Projects
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Concourse A Expansion - Phase II Fact Sheet
Status:
Construction start: May10, 2022
Description:
This project will continue expansion of Concourse A to the north for an additional 10 gates.
Duration:
6 years
Milestones:
Design: 2018 - 2021
Completion: Fall 2024
Cost:
$231,000,000
Funding Source:
North Carolina Airport Improvement Program state grant
Passenger Facility Charge bonds
non-Passenger Facility Charge bonds
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Terminal Lobby Expansion - Video
Terminal Lobby Expansion Fast Facts
Terminal Lobby Expansion Fast Facts February 2023
Status:
Construction Underway
Description:
The terminal lobby will be expanded to the north to create additional space for security lanes, ticketing and baggage claim, central energy plant, a basement level for offices and access to the subterranean walkways, an exterior canopy as well as increased circulation space in the lobby. The project also includes the construction of a Central Energy Plant that will provide mechanical space for the project.
This project will accommodate the rapid growth CLT has experienced in recent years that has put a strain on the terminal.
Duration:
60 months
Milestones:
Design: 2017 - 2019
Construction start: 2019
Completion: Fall 2025
Cost:
$608,000,000
Funding Source:
Combination of Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Revenues, Customer Facility Charge (CFC) Revenues, General Airport Revenue Bonds (GARBS), and Airport Cash
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Status:
Construction underway
Description:
This expansion will create 34,000 square feet of hold room, concessions space and support space on the north end of Concourse E. Currently, passengers use hold room space of other Concourse E gates and walk under temporary canopies to access aircraft hardstand parking. An additional 6,000 square feet of open ramp space will be enclosed along the east wing of Concourse E at Gate E16 to accommodate passengers of hardstand aircraft.
This project will shield passengers from the elements, decongest hold rooms and heighten security and safety with boarding bridge-equipped gates. This expansion also will enable larger regional aircraft to use the concourse due to the rising elevation on the north end and up-gauging of regional aircraft.
Duration:
26 months
Milestones:
Completion: February 2022
Cost:
$50,500,000
Funding Source:
Future General Airport Revenue Bonds and Passenger Facility Charge Revenues
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Concourse A Expansion - Phase I Fact Sheet
Status:
Complete
Description:
This project constructed nine gates north of Concourse A to accommodate expanding air service. The project included construction of the concrete ramp and taxi lanes to operate the new gates.
Duration:
24 months
Milestones:
Construction start: Spring 2016
Completion: Summer 2018
Cost:
$200,000,000
Funding Source:
Future General Airport Revenue Bonds and Passenger Facility Charge Revenues
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Status:
Complete
Description:
This project plans is a three-level addition of approximately 51,000 square feet at Concourses D and E. The addition provides an area for multiple concessions on the Departures/Ticketing level and doubles the current number of escalators and elevators.
This project upgrades passenger circulation to Concourse E. The addition of three escalators, one service elevator and a widened stairway greatly increase the traffic flow to the concourse. Other components of the expansion include a service dock area for Concourses D and E, a food court, restrooms, a second Mother's Room, a children's play area and an animal relief area. There is also approximately 12,000 square feet of office level space for future space requirements of the various tenants.
Duration:
24 months
Milestones:
Construction start: Summer 2016
Completion: November 2019
Cost:
$39,000,000
Funding Source:
Future General Airport Revenue Bonds and Passenger Facility Charge Revenues
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Status:
Complete
Description:
CLT’s terminal was built in 1982. This project will bring new life to the 38-year-old building (as of 2020). Improvements will include new gate seating with integrated power and USB charging, new flooring, wall finishes, new ceilings, a new public address system and improved LED lighting.
Work is complete on Concourses A, B, and C and will soon move to Concourse D and the Atrium.
Duration:
36 months
Milestones:
Construction start: September 2017
Completion: 2020
Cost:
$90,000,000
Funding Source:
Future General Airport Revenue Bonds and Passenger Facility Charge Revenues
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Elevated Roadway and Terminal Curb Front Fact Sheet
Elevated Roadway - Traffic shift video
Status:
Complete
Description:
The Airport has experienced tremendous growth, which has put a strain on the existing roadway system in front of the terminal. Construction of the hourly parking deck now provides room to widen the roadway in front of the terminal.
Additional commercial and passenger vehicle lanes are being constructed to assist those picking up and dropping off passengers. Traffic flow will be reconfigured on each level; commercial vehicles will move to the three inside lanes and personal vehicles to the five outside lanes. When complete, a total of 16 lanes will accommodate traffic.
Five new upper lanes opened April 3, 2019 marking the completion of Phase II and signaling a major milestone for the project. Phase III, the final stage of the project is underway and includes demolishing the existing entrance and exit ramps to complete the west and east ends of the roadway.
The Elevated Roadway and Terminal Curb Front was unveiled in phases with eight new lanes on the lower level roadway opening first. Commercial vehicles shifted to the three lower level inside lanes near the terminal and personal vehicles moved to the five lower level outside lanes near the Hourly Deck.
The remaining three new upper lanes near the terminal will welcome drivers once the Terminal Lobby Expansion project is complete.
This project will include the construction of passenger skybridges and pedestrian tunnels and will move the roadway further north to accommodate the future Terminal Lobby Expansion.
Duration:
36 months
Milestones:
Construction start: Winter 2015
Completion: 2019
Cost:
$50,000,000
Funding Source:
Passenger Facility Charge Revenues
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Status:
Planning Underway
Description:
An Environmental Assessment (EA) must be completed prior to design and construction of a fourth parallel runway.
The runway will be located 1,450 feet west of Runway 18C/36C and between the existing Runways 18R/36L and 18C/36C. It will include two end-around taxiways and the relocation of portions of West Boulevard and Old Dowd Road. This fourth parallel runway is anticipated to be 150 feet wide and 10,000 feet long making it CLT’s longest runway.
Duration:
11 years
Milestones:
Environmental Assessment: 2017 - 2022
Design: 2022 - 2023
Construction start: 2023
Completion: 2027
Cost:
$1 billion
Funding Source:
Future General Airport Revenue Bonds, Passenger Facility Charge Revenues and Federal Airport Improvement Program Grants
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Status:
Planned
Description:
This project plans for the design and construction of 10-12 additional gates on Concourse C.
Duration:
TBD
Milestones:
TBD
Cost:
$463,000,000
Funding Source:
Future Airport Financing
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Status:
Planned
Description:
This project will provide for design and construction of an additional 8-10 gates on Concourse B.
Duration:
TBD
Milestones:
Design: TBD
Cost:
$463,000,000
Funding Source:
Future Airport Financing
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Third Parallel Runway – 18R/36L
Status:
Complete
Description:
The third runway measures 9,000 feet long and includes two taxiway bridges constructed on 650 acres. It is CLT’s fourth runway. The Airport also has one crosswind runway. The new runway will permit triple independent landings. The project included road relocation of Wallace Neal and Old Dowd roads and adjoining road construction
Duration:
35 month
Milestones:
Construction start: March 2007
Wallace Neal and Old Dowd roads relocated: March 2007
Paving begins on taxiway bridges: August 2008
Runway construction begins: August 2008
Navigational aids and lighting installation begins: December 2009
Construction complete: December 2009
Runway opens for limited daytime use January 2010
Operational Feb. 11, 2020
Commissioned Feb. 12, 2010
Cost:
$325,000,000
Funding Source:
Federal Aviation Administration, federal grants, General Obligation Bonds proceeds.
Air Traffic Control Tower
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration in April 2022 dedicated and commissioned a new air traffic control tower at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The 370-foot-tall air traffic control tower has an 850-square-foot tower cab that provides air traffic controllers a bird’s-eye view of the airfield. At the base, a 42,000-square-foot building houses an expanded terminal radar approach control (TRACON) that handles flights departing and arriving in the Charlotte airspace. Both are designed to accommodate current and future operations.
Learn about our completed development plan: CLT 2015