CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Whether you're a passenger or just dropping someone off, it's pretty hard to avoid the construction at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
- It's a plan valued at $2.5 billion
- At least 10 different project are in motion through 2035
- Charlotte Douglas had more than 44 million passengers last year, up from 28 million in 2018
At least 10 different projects through 2035 are meant to expand airport capacity. That describes the “Destination Charlotte” capital improvement plan, which passengers know better as never- ending construction.
The $2.5 billion plan in a 3-D video shows the new roads partially completed in front of the terminal. Then you can see how the concourses will expand. Crews are building a fourth parallel runway and a bigger lobby.
Charlotte Douglas had more than 44 million passengers last year, up from 28 million in 2018. That growth, airport officials say, is at or near capacity. It's clear passengers, especially those who travel frequently, are feeling a bit of fatigue.
“It feels like the construction out front where the car drop off is and the parking garage is, literally has been going on forever,” passenger Tyler Krueger said. “I'm sure there's a reason for it, but it just like incremental progress rather than just ongoing construction in every aspect of the airport.”
One of the biggest parts of the Destination Charlotte Capital improvement plan is the terminal lobby expansion. That construction is scheduled to begin this year and last through 2025.
So, no end in sight as far as dealing with the construction in real life. The expansion of concourses A and C still have several years to go. They're scheduled to be done in 2022 and 2024.