Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Large HubCharlotte, NC · CLT
Recent News
Updated Mar 29, 2026Charlotte Douglas International Airport implemented new parking rates effective March 1, 2026, marking the first increase since November 2023. Dynamic pricing applies to all reservation-enabled lots and decks and varies based on demand and time of year. Currently, approximately 17,000 or about 65% of CLT's 25,000 parking spots are available for online pre-booking only.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's $608 million Terminal Lobby Expansion was completed in September 2025, and the fourth parallel runway is approaching its halfway point with a scheduled opening in fall 2027. Runway redesignation will begin in May 2026. Concourse E is undergoing renovations including new Terrazzo flooring, gate renumbering, and updated wayfinding signage, scheduled for completion in March 2027.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport reported estimated TSA wait times of less than 10 minutes most of the day on March 26, 2026, despite the partial government shutdown affecting airports nationwide. Wait times increased to nearly one hour during the peak travel rush after 4 p.m. Approximately two-thirds of CLT fliers are only connecting through the airport, which may explain shorter wait times.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport welcomed its first new global partner in nearly a decade with Etihad Airways' inaugural flight landing on March 20, 2026. The service marks the first-ever non-stop connection between Charlotte and Abu Dhabi and is the longest flight in CLT history, clocking in at over 14 hours.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport welcomed 53.6 million passengers in 2025, making it the airport's second-busiest year on record after a record-setting 2024 with 58.8 million passengers. As American Airlines' second-largest hub, Charlotte continues to serve primarily as a connection point for travelers.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2024)
Enplaned Passengers (FAA CATS)
Cost per Enplanement (CPE)
Revenue
Expense
Ratemaking Overview
Residual allocation: total aeronautical costs less landing fees and terminal rent allocated among signatory airlines based on usage metrics
Settlement & True-Up
Monthly settlement with annual true-up adjustment; airlines billed monthly for landing fees, terminal rent, and use charges with reconciliation at fiscal year end
Annual reconciliation between estimated and actual costs; surplus returned or deficit billed to signatory airlines proportional to usage
Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)
Not available
Landing Fee Methodology
Landing fee of $5.50 per 1,000 lbs allocated to aircraft for use of airfield facilities and common use areas
Terminal Rental Rate
Terminal building space rented per net rentable square foot; includes both preferential use and common use terminal facilities
Common Use & Gate Allocation
Additional Bonds Test
Additional Bonds may be issued if either: (1) Net Revenues for most recent audited Fiscal Year (excluding Airport Discretionary Fund transfers) were sufficient to meet Rate Covenant not less than 1.50 times the Long-Term Debt Service Requirement for all outstanding Bonds and Bonds to be issued; or (2)(A) Rate Covenant satisfied for most recent audited Fiscal Year, and (B) Airport Consultant certifies Rate Covenant (excluding Airport Discretionary Fund transfers) will be satisfied for first two full Fiscal Years after Additional Facilities completion (or first two Fiscal Years after issuance if not financing Additional Facilities).
Rate Covenant
The City covenants to fix, charge and collect rates sufficient to produce Revenues in each Fiscal Year at least equal to the sum of deposits required to be made to (1) Operating Fund, (2) Revenue Bond Fund, and (3) all other deposits required by the Bond Order, plus an amount equal to the Coverage Factor (defined as 25% of the sum of amounts required to be deposited from Net Revenues into Revenue Bond Interest Account, Principal Account and Sinking Fund Account for such Fiscal Year).
Flow of Funds
On the 25th of each month, Revenues in Revenue Fund are transferred in the following priority: (1) Operating Fund - 1/12 of Current Expenses per Annual Budget; (2) Interest Account - 1/6 of next maturing interest (after PFC); (3) Principal Account - 1/12 of next maturing principal (after PFC); (4) Sinking Fund Account - 1/12 of next Sinking Fund Requirement (after PFC); (5) Reserve Account - 1/24 of deficiency if valuation change, or 1/12 if withdrawal; (6) Subordinate Indebtedness payments; (7) Operating Fund reserve - 1/12 of deficiency if Operating Fund < 25% of Current Expenses. Excess over Coverage Factor transferred to Airport Discretionary Fund on 25th day of each Fiscal Year.
Source Documents
Official Statements
Financial Statements
+2 more
Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting