Economic Impact

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) contributed $40 billion to the economies of North and South Carolina in 2023, according to the study Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Economic Contribution: Supporting the Economic Vibrancy of North and South Carolina Communities. The study was conducted by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University.

Based on 2021 numbers, that’s an increase of $7.5 billion. It also accounts for 5 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.

Other data reveals that CLT created $2.1 billion in tax revenue, supported 167,045 jobs, and generated $15.2 billion in personal income in North Carolina. The economic benefits also extended to South Carolina, where CLT had an economic impact of $3.2 billion and supported 17,330 jobs.

“CLT remains a critical economic force for the Carolinas, with the American Airlines hub playing a pivotal role in generating jobs, boosting incomes and contributing vital tax revenues,” said CLT CEO Haley Gentry. “We are committed to continuing to grow responsibly and support our local economies while enhancing the airport experience for everyone who relies on us.”

In January, the North Carolina Department of Transportation released its biannual report, “North Carolina: The State of Aviation." That report calculates impacts based on factors such as jobs supported by airports and the businesses that rely on them, business and leisure travelers, and airport capital projects and operations.

Overall, North Carolina’s 10 commercial service and 62 general aviation airports produced more than $88 billion in economic output, approximately 427,640 jobs, $34 billion in personal income and $4.8 billion in tax revenue for the state’s economy.

CLT alone comprised 42 percent of the state’s economic output, 44 percent of tax revenue, 39 percent of airport jobs and 45 percent of personal income related to North Carolina’s 72 airports.

Charlotte Douglas is the second largest hub for American Airlines, the world’s largest airline. In 2024, CLT welcomed a record 58.8 million passengers. Airports Council International (ACI) ranks CLT among the world’s busiest airports for arrivals, departures and passenger traffic. Rankings are typically updated each spring. Review the NCDOT’s press release and the report “North Carolina: The State of Aviation.”