Charlotte Airport Wraps Up $608M Terminal Expansion Before October Opening
The $608 million upgrade at Charlotte Douglas International Airport wrapped up this week. Workers added 175,000 square feet while fixing 191,000 square feet of old space.
The $608 million upgrade at Charlotte Douglas International Airport wrapped up this week. Workers added 175,000 square feet while fixing 191,000 square feet of old space. The doors open to the public on October 1.
"We've created a space that reflects who we are as a city and as an airport. Welcoming and ready for the future," said Airport CEO Haley Gentry, according to Queen City News.
Built in 1982, the old terminal served 2.8 million yearly flyers. Now, a whopping 58.8 million pass through each year. The main lobby alone handles 18 million people.
Travelers will find wider check-in zones and more room to grab bags. A massive 146,000-square-foot canopy shields people from rain and sun. Two new walkways link to parking, while underground paths offer shelter when going to the main building.
The security setup got smarter. Three numbered checkpoints replaced the old five, but screening lanes jumped from 17 to 21. Modern tech includes 11 self-serve lanes and eight powerful bag scanners.
Before the security gates, visitors can now grab food and shop. Queen's Kitchen stands out as the first real restaurant in the public area. A new Dunkin' Donuts also moved in.
Fresh artwork dots the walls: 11 pieces in total. The star? A restored Queen Charlotte statue. This 16-foot bronze giant, weighing as much as a small car, now greets visitors in Queens Court.
This work marks the final piece of a three-part plan. First came a new parking deck in 2015, then an elevated road in 2019.
The job took 6,000 workers putting in 5 million hours. Teams from 200 different companies pitched in: from planners to builders to safety experts.
No tax dollars paid for this work. Instead, money came from passenger fees, building charges, loans, and saved-up funds.
Charlotte Douglas now ranks sixth worldwide for planes taking off and landing: 596,583 flights in 2024. American Airlines runs most flights here, their second-biggest hub, sending planes to 170 spots in 27 countries.
