CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Charlotte grows, so does its airport. Last year, the state’s largest airport broke its travel record with over 50 million passengers taking flight. Now, it's unveiling plans for a new airport experience, even as traffic continues to be a major concern.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport hopes the space in front of the airport will soon be filled with hotels, restaurants and more, with a new Destination District spanning 90 acres.

What You Need To Know

  •  Charlotte Douglas International Airport saw over 50 million passengers in 2023

  •  The airport is planning for a 90-acre Destination District 

  •  The Destination District will sit across the airport, filled with hotels, restaurants and more 

Businesses like My CLT Van are excited about the growth.

“My family has a business like this in Central America, so I decided why not bring it down here,” said Luis Bonilla, owner of My CLT Van.

For the past five years, his dream has taken flight. His transportation service has been busy with requests as he drives to the airport up to 15 times a day.

“We do a lot of trips to the airport nowadays, and we love it. The only thing is that we do see where the airport needs some improvements, and they're working on it,” Bonilla said.

But the demand for his business could continue if the airport’s plans for Destination District come to pass.

“I was studying how they're going to have different businesses, breweries, restaurants and stuff like that. So don't drink and drive. You can drink, let us do the drive,” Bonilla said.

Destination District will serve as a front door to the airport, spanning the Interstate 85 entranceway with 90 acres of commercial development.

But for drivers like Bonilla, the growth hasn’t always been easy.

“There are times that are almost impossible to get to our clients in a timely manner, because it's like there is always something going on like around 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 in the morning,” Bonilla said.

Many drivers are also expecting the extra traffic the new plans may bring.

“We didn't expect the city of Charlotte to grow this fast, and I feel like if they are going to expand to, you know, create the Destination District, we will need definitely to work on the on the traffic area when it comes to departures, arrivals and the whole airport area,” Bonilla said.

Despite the hassle, Bonilla is grateful for the extra business it could bring.

“I think it's going to help tremendously as well, just because it is bringing in more people from different places of the world and, of course, of the country. I believe that people will need to be picked up from their homes and be dropped off here because of traffic, sometimes you don't want to deal with that,” Bonilla said.

The Charlotte City Council will have to approve the agreement in the fall before the airport can break ground, meanwhile proposals are being requested from developers for the district.

For more information on My CLT Van, you can visit its website here.