Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Large HubCharlotte, NC · CLT
Recent News
Updated Mar 8, 2026Charlotte City Council prepared to vote on a new speakeasy-style lounge from American Express at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in early March 2026. Amex designed the concept for solo and small group travelers with flights departing in 90 minutes or less, joining a new 14,000-square-foot Capital One Lounge at the airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport implemented new, higher parking rates effective March 1, 2026, the first increase in several years. The updated pricing reflects rising operational costs and shifting demand, allowing the airport to reinvest in parking facilities to enhance safety, infrastructure, reliability and the overall passenger experience.
The Charlotte Fire Department acquired a new truck in February 2026 that will better help them respond to fires inside the parking deck at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The specialized vehicle enhances safety capabilities for the airport's parking infrastructure.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport served 53.6 million passengers in 2025, marking its second-busiest year on record as reported in January 2026. The airport continues its Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) project, adding 175,000 square feet and renovating 191,000 square feet, scheduled for October 2026 completion.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2024)
Enplaned Passengers (T-100)
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
Airline Use Agreements
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