Building For the Future
To accommodate growing demand for services, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has continually emphasized construction and expansion to maintain and enhance the airport's ability to serve this region. 

Since 1982, the airport has invested more than $300 million in new and expanded facilities, including the passenger terminal, cargo facilities and airfield.

Charlotte's passenger terminal now encompasses 1.7 million square feet, with 100,000 square feet under currently under construction.  A 325,000-square-foot terminal, the basis for today's terminal, was opened in 1982 and expanded by 194,000-square-feet with a food court and shopping atrium in 1994.  Public parking for passengers has been expanded to provide a total of approximately 14,000 spaces.

Based on tenants' growing needs and the recommendations in the 1987 Airport Master Plan and the 1992 Cargo Master Plan, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has made extensive changes at the Charlotte Air Cargo Center.   Since 1993, the airport has built new and expanded facilities for Burlington Air Express, Airborne Express, Emery Worldwide, United Parcel Service and United Worldwide Cargo.   

To enhance corporate aviation facilities, in 1995 the airport built three new hangars, adding more than 93,000 square feet to the general aviation area.  General aviation customer parking has been expanded.  And a taxiway was extended to provide access to this portion of the airfield.  

Significant airfield improvements completed in 1996 have helped make the airport more efficient for its tenant airlines. These improvements included a new reliever taxiway that was recommended for enhancing capacity.  The taxiway required expansion of nearby ramp areas; this, in turn, began the process for a future 11-gate expansion of Concourse B.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport must continue its expansion and improvement program to maintain its position as one of the country's leading airports.  One need that is being addressed in runway capacity.  The airport presently has three runways with a maximum length of 10,000 feet, but research has recommended a fourth, 9,000-foot runway to provide additional capacity, strengthening the hub operation and reduce flight delays and airlines' operating costs.

The growth of Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the growth of the Charlotte Region are closely linked.  The airport not only links Charlotte with markets in the United States and around the world - an important factor in today's global economy - but it also contributes nearly $10 billion each year in total economic impact.

With the continued improvement and expansion of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, this region can enjoy even greater economic impact in the future - and that will benefit residents and businesses alike.

Economic Asset
Past and Present

For further information regarding the economic impact of the airport, contact the
Charlotte Chamber or the Charlotte Regional Partnership.