Passengers to Benefit from New Runway
CLT one of three U.S. airports building new runways
Among the nation’s commercial airports, Charlotte Douglas International is a rarity – it is one of just three U.S. public use airports building new runways. For passengers that means improved service is just at the end of the runway.
"The new runway is a huge step forward for the entire region," said Airport Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry. "Growing the capacity and efficiency of our facility will only result in positive results for our customers. We are extremely excited to be propelling this region into the future with this significant investment."
In early June, CLT broke ground on what will become its fourth parallel runway. When complete in 2027, it will be 10,000 feet long, 150 feet wide and include end-around taxiways that will allow aircraft to get to and from the runway and gates more efficiently. Combined with the fall 2024 opening of a new expansion of Concourse A and reorganization of some airline gates in the terminal, passengers will see a more seamless travel journey and will spend less time waiting on the ramps and taxiways to take off and land.
Another runway will give CLT the infrastructure to handle the booming travel business it has experienced in the last decade, and particularly post pandemic, as well as future needs. It also will mean increased efficiency for airlines, fewer delays from runway to sky and less fuel and emissions burned. All benefits to passengers, too.
Building a new runway is part of Destination CLT, the Airport’s $4 billion capital investments program for capacity enhancements.
“This new runway will increase capacity and reduce delay for aircraft operating at CLT,” said Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine. “This translates to a significant benefit to the traveling public, the airlines that operate at CLT and to the National Airspace System as well.”
Additionally, airlines will be able to recover more quickly after winter weather and summer storms, reducing delays for passengers. Over 30 years the runway project is expected to save $10.8 billion in aircraft operating costs and passenger time traveling. American Airlines operates its second largest hub in the U.S. and third largest hub in the world at CLT.
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