Winter 2016
v 30.1
CLT Breaks
Passenger Record
Charlotte Douglas welcomed
Aviation Director Brent
132,351 tons in 2014 to
31 international locations
44.9 million travelers last
Cagle. “As passenger traffic
135,085 tons in 2015, a
and averaged 700 daily
year, setting an all-time high
grows, CLT and its tenants
2 percent increase. departures in 2015. Airlines
passenger record for the
constantly strive to provide
sixth consecutive year. It’s
the highest level of cus-
a 1 percent jump from 2014,
tomer service in order
which saw 44.3 million
to keep those travelers
fliers and a 59 percent
coming back.” Operations remained steady,
only slightly decreasing
serving CLT also added
10 new flights.
by 0.2 percent to 543,944
CLT remains one of the
aircraft movements in 2015
fastest growing airports in
due to the airline trend
the country and has been
Airport officials attribute
toward using larger, more
continually preparing for
“We are elated to see
much of the gain to strong
fuel efficient aircraft. In
passenger growth. Last
those numbers climb and
customer demand, contin-
2014, the Airport oversaw
year, the Airport kicked
extremely proud passengers
ued growth at the hub, as
545,178 landings and
off Destination CLT, a $2.5
continually choose Charlotte
well as growth of the region.
departures.
billion development plan
Cargo activity also saw an
CLT offered nonstop service
upswing. It climbed from
to 154 destinations, including
rise from 10 years ago.
Douglas as their preferred
airport,” said CLT’s Interim
FAA Air Traffic
Control Tower
Construction
Begins
This Spring
that includes construction of
Continued on page 3.
Chicago, Illinois
Charlotte Douglas Offers
New Flight Choices
To receive Connections
electronically, scan the QR
code below or email
YouAreFirst@cltairport.com.
Place Connections in the
subject line and enter your
name and address in the
body of the email.
The FAA is scheduled to
has been in operation
begin construction this
since 1979, is 150 feet tall.
spring on the Airport’s new
FAA Air Traffic Control
Tower.
For complete, up-to-date
information on airport
amenities, parking,
shopping and flights,
visit cltairport.com.
American Airlines also
choices arrive at Charlotte
recently announced
Douglas.
daily nonstop service to
Beginning April 15, Frontier
Airlines will add nonstop
service to Chicago O’Hare
It will reside on the south
(ORD) and Orlando (MCO)
side of the airfield behind
on Mondays, Wednesdays,
the American Airlines
Fridays and Saturdays.
The new tower will stand
maintenance hangar,
370 feet tall, the second
alongside Hangar Road.
tallest tower in the country
A 42,000-square-foot
behind Hartsfield-Jackson
Terminal Radar Approach
Atlanta International Airport.
Control (TRACON) base
CLT’s current tower, which
This spring, new flight
Continued on page 3.
Currently, Frontier offers
nonstop flights from
CLT to Trenton-Mercer
Airport (TTN) in Ewing,
NJ and Philadelphia
International Airport (PHL).
Madison, Wisconsin (MSN)
starting April 5 and
seasonal nonstop flights
from CLT to San Jose,
CA (SJC) will debut June
2. The airline currently
offers 654 daily flights
at CLT serving 145 destinations in 23 countries.
Visit flyfrontier.com
or aa.com to book
your flight. m
Elevated Roadway
Airport Construction
Ramps Up
Cargo Ramp Expansion
Improvements to the
Airport’s airfield continue.
terminal renovations in the
begin this spring. Crews will
Airport’s 33-year history.
then move to Concourses
B, C and E.
Cargo Ramp Expansion
that have a longer average
expansion that will open
lifespan and do not pose
in March 2018.
hazards as they age. and parts of Concourse D
Each phase of renovations
will take a year to 18 months
to complete. The makeover will consist of new
The total expansion of
ceiling tiles, carpet, wall
Last year, CLT completed
The Airport is also in the
the concourse will encom-
panels, seating and fresh
repairs on Runway 18L/36R.
process of merging Long
pass 24 gates for airlines
coats of paint. Terrazzo
This year, concrete paving
Term Lot 3 into Long Term
currently located on
also will be placed in the
is underway on the Airport’s
2 to create 200 additional
Concourse A.
center walkway of the
cargo ramp expansion
parking spaces. Other
concourses to better
located on the southeast
improvements underway
Elevated Roadway
side of the airfield. The
for Long Term 2 include
completion date is sched-
relocation of the entry and
uled for this spring.
exit plazas with the installa-
The ramp is being expanded
by 12,000-square yards to
provide additional space
to potential clients and
CLT’s deicing operations.
tion of new toll plaza canopies
and cashier facilities.
Construction is scheduled
for completion by May 2016.
Destination CLT
Airport Makes
slower rate than Bradford
also is taking place.
Destination CLT, a $2.5
billion development plan
that includes terminal,
airfield and roadway
expansions, is moving
forward on schedule.
Pears. A mix of large and
Concourse A Expansion
small trees, such as Oaks
– Phase I
and Red Buds, will fill the
Demolition of the rental
– Phase II
Construction of the East
Terminal Expansion –
Phase II starts this summer.
It will include a food court
and additional office space,
as well as two new escalators and elevators added
to the E Connector to
assist with the throughput
of passenger traffic. The
expansion’s completion
date is scheduled for
summer 2019.
For more information
about Destination CLT,
visit: cltairport.com/
DestinationCLT. m
CLT is expanding the
traffic lanes in front of the
Commercial vehicles (taxis,
to their age, fragile condi-
area and mature at a
will be the most extensive
figured on each level.
removed last summer due
be upgraded, as well.
relocation of utility lines
Traffic flow will be recon-
the 165 Bradford Pear trees
and sprinkler systems will
The $55 million project
Ticketing (upper level).
Long Term Lot 1 to replace
luggage. HVAC, electrical
elevated roadway. The
level) and eight lanes in
trees on the north side of
that are native to this
construction of the Airport’s
in Baggage Claim (lower
CLT has begun planting
several different species
caissons is underway for
to 16 lanes - eight lanes
to Long Term Lots
The new trees will include
pier foundations and
terminal from eight lanes
Improvements
tion and hazard liability.
The drilling of concrete
accommodate rolling
East Terminal Expansion
hotel and airport shuttles)
will move to the three
inside lanes and personal
vehicles will occupy the
five outside lanes.
Construction will have
a minimal impact to
passengers. The $40
million project will take
3.5 years to complete. It
vacant spots.
car buildings on Rental
will include tunnels that
Over the course of the next
Car Road has begun and
will allow passengers to
decade, CLT intends to
will continue through the
bypass Airport traffic.
replace all Bradford Pears
end of this spring. Once
Terminal Renovations
CLT Ranks High
in J.D. Power’s Survey
Passenger satisfaction at
check, baggage claim,
Charlotte Douglas Interna-
check-in/baggage check
tional Airport ranks high,
and terminal shopping.
according to J.D. Power’s
2015 North American Airport
Satisfaction Study.
According to the report,
airports are now shifting a
majority of their focus to
Charlotte Douglas tied with
creating a more enjoyable
Minneapolis-Saint Paul
passenger experience
International Airport,
overall for the flying public.
ranking number 11, and
scoring 734 out of 1,000
points among the nation’s
31 largest airports. The
national average for large
airports was 719 points. Within the last five years,
CLT has upgraded its
restaurants and retail
stores. Concessions have
been located closer to gates.
More charging stations have
The annual J.D. Power study
been added throughout the
compared overall traveler
terminal. A Mother’s Room
satisfaction at large-
for nursing mothers opened
and medium-sized North
in October, and the CLT
American airports based
Canine Crew debuted last
on the following six factors:
spring. Terminal renovations
that are located near
complete, construction
Airport buildings, roadways
will start this summer on
Terminal renovations on
terminal facilities, airport
and WiFi upgrades are
and parking lots with trees
Concourse A’s nine-gate
Concourse A, the Atrium
accessibility, security
occurring this year. m
2
New Concessions
Open in Terminal
fast sandwiches, wings,
Airport Area Strategic
Development Plan
Seeks Public Input
burgers, sandwiches,
Airport Area Strategic
neighborhood information
salads, beverages and
Development Plan (AASDP)
update session.
spirits. The menu will
organizers want input from
expand with new items in
local residents this spring
the near future.
to help fine tune initial
food – including breakfast
until 10 a.m.
Menu items include break-
HMSHost also is planning
to open the terminal’s
ninth Starbucks in March,
which will allow CLT
visitors to pick up a latte,
M•A•C
Three new Airport conces-
for offering the latest
sions offer passengers a
beauty and make-up
dose of glamour, a dash of
products.
spirits and a sprinkle of java.
concepts. The AASDP
targets developing land
owned by the Airport
to create economic and
employment opportunities.
From the second set of
meetings, AASDP organizers
are seeking additional
input from the public to
help set the framework
for implementing a more
detailed plan that will
be presented to local
frappuccino or coffee
Project planners have
residents this summer.
in the Arrivals/Baggage
already met with stake-
A final draft is scheduled
Claim area. m
holders and local residents
for completion this fall.
to discuss the initiative’s
goals and to receive
HMSHost, CLT’s food and
feedback. More than 250
Paradies Shops, CLT’s
beverage concessionaire,
people attended the first
retail concessionaire,
debuted Red Star Lounge
neighborhood information
opened M•A•C in February
in late December near
update session on
on the D/E Connector.
Gate B-10 on Concourse
January 14 at the Sheraton
M•A•C is world renowned
B. Red Star offers a full
Charlotte Airport Hotel.
bar, table seating and
Red Star Lounge
Airport Plans WiFi Upgrades
The AASDP focuses on
3,000 acres of undeveloped
land owned by the Airport
and privately owned land
adjoining it. Current and
future land uses also will
be analyzed within the
25-square mile study area
This spring, the Aviation
defined by the Catawba
Department and MXD
River to the west, Billy
Development Strategists
Graham Parkway to the
will meet once again with
east, I-85 to the north
stakeholders and local
and Shopton Road to the
residents in April to present
south. The project has the
initial concepts. Be on the
potential to attract a vari-
lookout for more details
ety of businesses, as well
regarding the date, time
as residential areas to the
and location of the next
west side of Charlotte. m
Continued from page 1.
Airport officials say the new
Control Tower
tower is needed to provide
building containing
to operate CLT’s expand-
administrative offices,
ed airfield and enough
the FAA adequate space
Faster, more user friendly
Beginning in March, CLT
the demand for WiFi access
storage and a power
height for air traffic con-
and reliable WiFi is coming
will relocate and add addi-
in the terminal has sky
distribution supply system
trollers to obtain a clear
rocketed. Many travelers
will accompany the tower.
view of the entire airfield.
(antennas) throughout the
carry two to three devices
Construction of the tower
terminal for expanded WiFi
– smartphone, iPad and
and TRACON base building
capability and capacity. In
computer. This has put
is scheduled for completion
addition, the Airport is
a strain on the current
in 2018, and will be fully
working closely with Boingo,
system’s WiFi capacity.
operational in 2019.
CLT’s internet service
Not to mention, the down-
provider, to reduce the
loading of movies requires
number of clicks needed
enormous bandwidth.
to the Airport this spring. In December, 1,001 passengers were surveyed
about CLT’s WiFi service.
Travelers were asked a
series of questions ranging
from the reliability of their
connection to the ease of
logging onto the Internet.
The findings showed 26
percent of passengers were
tional WiFi access points
to access the Airport’s
free WiFi.
The upgrades are scheduled
to wrap up by the end of
dissatisfied with CLT’s WiFi
CLT began offering free
spring – just in time for
service. As a result, the
WiFi in late 2006. Over the
summer travel. m
Airport is aiming to turn
past 10 years, passenger
those dissatisfied passengers
traffic has increased by
into satisfied passengers. more than 50 percent and
Last year, the control tower
at CLT oversaw 543,944
aircraft operations. That
number is forecasted
to grow to more than
700,000 in 10 years. m
Continued from page 1.
Receive the latest
Passenger
Record
Airport news by visiting
the elevated roadway, fourth
parallel runway, terminal
cltairport.com/news
or following CLT on
Twitter (@CLTAirport). m
expansions and renovations.
3
Winter 2016
v 30.1
What’s
Inside!
m CLT
Airport Welcomes
Operation Exodus
Breaks Passenger
two-week Christmas leave
from basic training.
beverages, Bojangles’
Air Traffic Control
biscuits, snacks and gift
Tower Construction
packs. Panthers cheerleaders
Begins This Spring
m Charlotte
and former Carolina Panthers
Douglas
Offers New Flight
Choices
m Airport
they headed home for a
They were treated to free
Record
m FAA
to Charlotte Douglas as
Construction
Ramps Up
player Mike Rucker stopped
Approximately 4,000
During the three-day event,
by to greet the soldiers.
soldiers from Fort Jackson,
the USO Charlotte Center
Santa even dropped in to
SC passed through CLT
staff, Airport Operations
thank the troops for their
December 17 - December
and several CLT volunteers
service and wish them
19 as part of Operation
welcomed more than 50
happy holidays. m
Exodus.
buses transporting troops
More than two inches of
CLT usually averages close
Many Airport personnel
freezing rain, sleet and snow
to 700 arrivals and 700
worked 12-plus hour shifts
accumulated at Charlotte
departures daily. Airlines
to keep CLT operational.
Douglas January 22-23
were able to resume normal
during winter storm Jonas.
operations on January 24.
704.359.4000
cltairport.com
P.O. Box 19066
Charlotte, NC 28219
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AFFAIRS
PRESORTED
STANDARD
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PAID
Charlotte, NC
Permit #3307
Winter Weather
Hits CLT
CLT remained open
throughout the inclement
weather event, however,
all passenger flights were
canceled January 22 by
airlines serving CLT.
The next day, limited
aircraft operations began
before noon. The Airport
only oversaw 238 arrivals
and 202 departures
that day.
Passengers relied heavily
on popular hashtags, #wx
The Aviation Department
and #CLTsnowDay for
planned ahead and activated
timely weather and travel
snow teams and a snow
plan updates. In fact, the
desk to monitor conditions
Airport’s Twitter account
and ensure runways were
picked up more than
cleared of ice and snow.
400 followers during the
HMSHost, CLT’s food and
two-day event. m
beverage concessionaire,
and Paradies Shops, CLT’s
retail concessionaire,
opened restaurants and a
retail kiosk to accommodate
stranded travelers.
Photography and graphics courtesy of: Airport Operations,
Erika Helm, FAA, Nils Lucander, Rob McKenzie and Patrick Schneider.