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Sept. 29, 2023 – At Charlotte Douglas International Airport we always have our eyes on the skies. Beyond takeoffs and landings, we are constantly keeping an eye on the weather forecast. Making sure the Airport is ready for whatever comes our way is a massive team effort.

Overseeing the team effort is Michael Tobin, emergency operations manager for CLT. We asked him to give us a peek inside how one of the world’s busiest airports prepares for the possibility of severe weather.

What types of weather systems do you track?

“Anything that could be a potential threat to CLT. It doesn’t have to be a hurricane to have a major impact on Airport operations. Typical summer thunderstorms can force airlines to cancel or delay flights, which can wreak havoc on CLT operations.”

Where do you get your weather information?

“The National Weather Service is my go-to source for any, and all, weather-related information. I’m on many email chains with them and they are very good at pushing out information as early as possible on potential weather threats. I also follow numerous weather experts on social media to get their perspectives.

“I take the National Weather Service data, analyze it, and try to put it in layman’s terms. Then, I funnel that knowledge to our staff and key stakeholders to let them know whether there could be a threat to CLT.”

Who are those stakeholders?

“At CLT, it’s basically anyone who has boots on the ground to keep the Airport operating. That includes security operations, airside operations that work with the FAA to keep planes moving, terminal operations that manage the customer experience from the curb to the jet bridge, as well as our landside operations that manage parking, ground transportation and busing.

“Beyond our teams, we also share information with our airline partners, as well as the businesses and restaurants that operate at CLT.”

When do you start actively planning for a severe weather event?

“When the possibility of severe weather turns into a probability, Airport Emergency Management along with Airside Operations and the Airport Operations Center (AOC) actively monitor the weather conditions and prepare as appropriate. For most severe weather events (snow, ice tornado threat, etc.) Emergency Management and the AOC will continue to send out information in a document called a ‘sit rep,’ or situational report. It includes a quick synopsis of the weather situation, any local or state emergency declarations, and other significant information. I also include a summary of what all our partners are doing to prepare so it’s easy to find in one document. With a couple days’ notice we can put all the pieces together.”

How prepared for severe weather is CLT compared to other airports?

“We are certified as a Storm Ready Airport with the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service did an assessment to make sure we have all the appropriate plans, procedures, and communications in place. Only 31 airports with commercial flights are certified, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the only other airport in North Carolina on the list. We’ve been in this program for several years. It’s another level of assurance in the emergency management world that we’ve gone through the appropriate process and procedures with the experts who say, ‘yes, you are ready for severe weather.’”

Who decides to cancel flights?

“The airlines look at the forecast and determine if they must reroute or cancel flights to keep people safe. When storms are coming, the airlines are extremely proactive in cancelling flights, rerouting them or making other changes to minimize the impact.”

When do you decide if the Airport has to close?

“The Airport NEVER closes. Flights may be cancelled, or we might have to pause take offs and landings, but our doors are always open. Ultimately, the airlines make sure people get from point A to point B safely. But when passengers are delayed here, we are more than happy to work with the airlines to accommodate them. We’ll always have personnel here and we make sure the lights stay on.

“I think about how we can accommodate passengers if the airlines start cancelling flights. If for some reason there is a mass cancellation event, Airport Operations comes together and implements our plans and procedures to support the traveling public and the airlines. Can we house passengers in the terminal? Do we have enough supplies? Do we have concessions staying open overnight? And if so, how many and where are they located?

“The Airport is very much a transient population. People are here for a very short time. If they must stay here for longer than expected, we will make them as comfortable as possible. It’s really priority number one.

“CLT is unique because 30% of our passenger traffic is local; 70% of our passenger traffic is from connections.

“Many people are not starting their journey here. They may have a two- or three-hour gap between flights. When that turns into a slight delay, or a severe delay, we look at it a little differently. These are not people who can go back home.”

Why do flights sometimes get diverted to Charlotte?

“It’s a very coordinated dance. When an airport is experiencing severe storms, they will sometimes pause all take offs and landings. It happened several times this summer. Atlanta had some bad storms, and the FAA issued a ground stop for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. That means no flights can take off for Atlanta. But aircraft that were already enroute need somewhere to go. We end up taking many of them for at least a couple of hours until the storms pass. We fuel the aircraft and send them on their way.”

What if there is a tornado warning?

“It’s a step-by-step process. If we go under a tornado warning and we see there’s a potential path for it coming to the Airport, we’ll make announcements in the terminal that everyone should seek shelter appropriately, stay away from glass and open spaces.

“By our definition, all restrooms are considered shelters. Also, we relocate people to the corridors and hallways that are away from open glass. Fortunately, with five concourses, we have enough space to accommodate people. It’s also incumbent on the airlines to stop the flights. The FAA takes care of that.”

Has the Airport been struck by lightning?

“Lightning has struck a runway, and it blew out a piece of the pavement. Our fantastic airfield maintenance crew went out and patched it quickly to get us back up and running.”

What do you want travelers to know?

“We can’t control the weather, but we can be prepared for it. Know that CLT has the professional staff to handle anything and everything that may happen. We have the plans in place and want to make it as seamless an operation as possible.

“Just like our customers, when I travel with my family, I want to get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible. If there’s an emergency along the way, it’s understandable. But we always have a backup plan for what we will do if our travels are interrupted, and I encourage others to have a secondary plan as well.

“The weather is what it is. We can’t control it. All we can do is stay alert, prepare ourselves, respond to it and, if necessary, recover as quickly as we can.”

Charlotte Douglas International Airport also has already started planning for winter weather. Stay tuned to learn more.

Aug. 30, 2023 – For some of us, a family vacation or trip to see Grandma would not be complete without our fur babies. You can take your dog or cat on a domestic flight in many cases, but there are several things you need to do to prepare for your trip. In this article, we are talking about pets; there are different rules for certified service dogs.

First and foremost, check with your airline. Each airline has its own rules for flying with pets, including whether the animal can fly in the cabin or must go in the cargo area. Also, reserve your pet’s spot when you book your trip. Most airlines only let a certain number of animals on each flight.

Once you have booked travel for you and your pet, here’s what you need to do:

Pre-flight check-up

Most airlines require a pet health certificate signed by a veterinarian just a couple of days before your trip to ensure the animal is healthy and cleared for travel. Be sure to get the form your airline requires. The carrier

Verify your pet carrier is compliant with your airline when it comes to size, shape and material. You’ll also want to make sure it’s cool with your pet. Leave it out for a few days before your trip and put a favorite toy or small blanket that smells like you inside. Travel day

Some pet owners like to exercise their dogs right before traveling, so they’ll be ready to nap on the flight. Consider stopping at a dog park or going for a long walk before arriving at CLT. Security

First and foremost, do NOT put your pet in the x-ray tunnel! Take your dog or cat out of the carrying case and then put the carrier on the belt. Be sure to keep your pet on a leash or in your arms. Ask a Transportation Security Administration agent how they want you to proceed. Sometimes they will ask you to walk with your pet through the metal detector, sometimes they may pull you aside for a separate screening.

The terminal

• Chill. If you have time before your flight, find a quiet area to relax with your furry friend. Going through security can be stressful, so be sure to give them lots of love.
• Visit one of CLT’s pet relief areas:
  • Concourse A near gates A21-A29.
  • The Plaza, near the intersection of Concourses D and E, located near the restrooms.
  • Concourse E near Gate E36.
  • Baggage Claim, Zone E.
• Reward your pup. When picking up a latte for yourself, ask the Starbucks barista for a pup cup for your furry friend. Dunkin’ will give you one too, they just don’t get as many requests.
• Watch where you walk. In consideration of your pet’s safety, please do not let them ride on moving sidewalks or escalators. We don’t want their little paws or nails to get caught in any of the many moving parts.

A little bit of preparation can make traveling through CLT with your pet a pawsitive experience for everyone.

Did you know?

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are not allowed to fly in the cargo area? Brachycephalic or short-nosed animals, like pugs, bulldogs, Shih Tzus as well as Burmese, Persian and Himalayan are more prone to respiratory problems. Changes in air pressure and temperature can make it worse. Rules for short-nosed animals vary by airline.

Links to individual airlines’ rules for traveling with pets:

American Airlines

Delta

Frontier Airlines (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

jetBlue Airways

Southwest Airlines

Spirit Airlines

United Airlines

Jun. 29, 2023 – What you don’t see is as important as what you do when you come to the Airport.

It’s no secret that air travel is bouncing back from the pandemic slump. The CLT terminal is filled with people, lines are everywhere and parking is in high demand.

CLT is always looking at ways to improve the travel experience. Often that work happens behind the scenes. If everything is working well internally and passengers are planning ahead, the travel journey goes more smoothly.

Don’t Fly by the Seat of Your Pants is a phrase you will hear often from us this summer and beyond. It will be accompanied by tips for traveling, whether it’s a normal day where everything goes right or one of those crazy days with bumps along the way.

The phrase originated in Great Britain, and it comes from aviation (yes, really). According to Wonderopolis, an online site where curious questions are answered:

“Since early aircraft did not have the many instruments modern planes have, pilots had to rely primarily on their own perceptions and judgement. Early pilots often flew without radios and other fancy gadgets. Instead, they learned to react to the feel of the plane. Of course, the body part that usually had the most contact with the plane was the pilot's backside.

“Early pilots developed an ability to estimate wind speed, external temperature and the overall condition of an airplane simply by paying attention to their senses — including the sense of feeling from their backsides!

“If you can imagine flying a plane without a radio or other instruments through clouds or thick fog, you can begin to imagine what it must have been like for early pilots to fly by the seat of their pants!”

There are a few thoughts on its meaning today but generally, it suggests you are acting on instinct or improvising without planning.

As the Airport terminal’s owner and operator, we strive to do everything we can to ensure the Airport is running at the peak performance levels. We also strive to support our eight major airlines and countless partners that contribute to safety and security and provide the services and amenities you expect. We are:

• staying flexible and adjusting operations in real time and as needed.
• adding staff throughout the Ticketing lobby to help direct people and answer questions. With construction happening all around us, we understand the terminal may look different – whether your last visit was two weeks ago, or this is your first time flying. Look for the Airport workers in the yellow vests or stop at the Information Services Counter near Checkpoint A if you need some help.
• deploying teams who are working 24/7 to handle any issue, whether the baggage belts or air conditioning stops working or there’s an accident on the roads leading to the terminal.
• working closely with our Transportation Security Administration partners who staff and manage the security screening lanes. Check wait times frequently when driving here and again when you are in the terminal. Remember, any checkpoint gets you to any gate. Also, don’t forget to check your bags before you pack for weapons or other items not allowed in the Airport or on the plane. The TSA provides information on how to pack, declare and travel with a firearm on its website. If a weapon is found in your bags, that will cause delays for you and the many other passengers likely in line with you.
• in communication daily with our airline partners who get your bags from the check-in counter to the plane without hiccups. When something does happen, we have the expertise on standby to tackle problems quickly and efficiently and the ability to provide additional training to prevent future problems. Remember, only the airlines can manage flight delays or cancellations and getting your checked luggage to and from the plane.

Finally, we are exploring ways to make it easier once you get here to move quickly through security. When you get in line, we want to estimate how long it will take you to go through screening. It’s based on technology like that used at theme park ride queues. More to come.

The majority of people who fly to, from and through CLT each day have a good travel experience. Planning ahead for everything from your parking (book it online ahead of time) to long lines (get here earlier than you think you need to) to flight status, cancellations or delays (have your airline contact information handy) is the best way to be proactive so you Don’t Fly by the Seat of Your Pants.

Jun. 8, 2023 – CLT’s stature as an employment center and a top economic driver in the region is significant. The numbers cited by the most recent North Carolina State of Aviation report are impressive.

$32 billion annual economic impact $1.82 billion in tax revenue generated $9.9 billion in personal income created 151,575 jobs supported So why should this matter to you?

Economic Vitality

CLT’s contribution of $32 billion to the state's economy in 2021, an increase from previous years, indicates significant economic growth and stability. This means businesses are thriving, job opportunities are increasing, and the overall economic environment is favorable. As a result, it has a positive impact on the average person by creating a stronger and more prosperous economy in which they can live, work, and thrive.

As examples: North Carolina’s public airports lease space to more than 3,300 private aircraft that generate more than $11.6 million in property tax revenues for their communities each year. The owner of a $23 million aircraft based at a North Carolina airport pays local property taxes equivalent to those paid by owners of 115 homes valued at $200,000 each.

That brings us to …

Jobs, jobs, jobs

The Airport and its supporting businesses along with those associated with construction are providing employment opportunities for a diverse range of professions and careers. This not only helps individuals find meaningful work, but also contributes to a thriving job market and offers stability to the workforce.

More job opportunities mean better chances for career advancement, increased income and improved financial security for individuals and families in North Carolina. An example: 800 construction-related jobs are associated with the Airport’s Destination CLT program, the $3.1 billion capital investment and infrastructure improvement project under way. Another 20,000 or so people work at the Airport, its businesses, partners and stakeholders. It is a small city.

Tax Revenue and Public Services

The $1.82 billion in tax revenue generated by CLT in 2021 plays a crucial role in funding public services, infrastructure development and essential government initiatives. It is revenue that directly benefits the citizens of North Carolina by improving public services and enhancing their quality of life.

The Airport is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte; however, it is does not collect public tax dollars. An enterprise fund of the city, the Airport is self-sustaining. Airport revenue funds all capital and operating costs per directives from the Federal Aviation Administration, which requires all airports to be financially self-sufficient.

CLT also is strategically expanding its business beyond aviation to diversify its financial portfolio and increase its non-aeronautical revenue. Non-aeronautical revenue is generated from commercial enterprises, such as concessions, duty free, parking, advertising, car rental facilities and real estate income.

Personal Income

The earnings infusion of $9.9 billion in personal income increases the purchasing power of residents, enabling them to support local businesses and contribute to economic growth within their communities. Personal income allows people to improve their standard of living, meet their financial needs, and potentially invest in education, healthcare and other essential aspects of life.

Consider this…

Would the Queen City be headquarters to 475 companies and corporations, including major banking and tech giants, without the connectivity to the world that an airport provides?

Without the connectivity CLT provides, would Charlotte be home to a bustling professional and minor league sports scene – from basketball, football and soccer to baseball and hockey? Don’t forget about NASCAR.

Many companies have stated the airport and the ability to connect to anywhere in the world was a primary reason to headquarter here - reinforcing that CLT is growing, providing connections and opportunities for people, goods and services around the world.

Why does this matter? The Airport has a direct impact on your economic well-being whether you travel or not. CLT helps foster a robust economy, creates career and job opportunities and personal income that contributes to quality of life for everyone who lives here.

Feb. 8, 2023 - Remember the days of going on a business trip and squeezing in some extra time for sightseeing and fun? Remember feeling lucky if your employer let you push your return flight beyond the official business trip’s end so you could do that?

That was more the norm for many workers before 2020, before the pandemic rocked our worlds.

The pandemic changed how many of us approach the work-life balance, where people can and do work and how we work. We discovered we do not have to be in an office to be ‘at work.’ Internet, Wi-Fi, and VPNs make it possible, for example, to be sitting on the beach, working as the family enjoys time in the sun and sand. Or now a hotel room in Nashville is your office by day, then at night you and your friends are soaking up the country music resonating across Music City USA.

The workplace is changing and as it does the passenger profile for airports everywhere, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, is changing.

Before the pandemic business and leisure travel was nearly evenly split 50-50%. Business travel plummeted in 2020 due to the pandemic and the proliferation of virtual meetings. At the same time, cheaper plane tickets (and people tired of being cooped up after quarantine) pushed leisure travel to 76% of CLT’s business. Business travel dropped to just 17%.

One need only spend some time people watching in our terminal to see there are fewer business suits these days and hundreds of more casually dressed singles, families, and vacationers. What we see now is the leisure traveler carrying everything they need to work wherever their destination is.

This blended, or bleisure, traveler has always been among us. There are more of them now. Based on CLT passenger survey responses in 2022, blended travelers comprised 5% of passengers at CLT, up strikingly from 2% in 2019 before the pandemic struck. Business travelers, in those same surveys, increased from 17% during the pandemic to 22% percent in 2022.

According to Travel Weekly, blended travel is more than a bit of pre- or post-work fun. Business travelers want more flexibility, and companies are beginning to cater more to those who want to work remotely for a few extra weeks or just want to work from anywhere but the office.

The changing workplace, employer flexibility, ease of staying virtually connected all add up to a slower than normal return of business travel to pre-pandemic dominance. In 2022, business travel had minimally ticked up to 22 percent of CLT passengers. We will be watching to see where it goes next.

Jun. 30, 2022 - Let’s get real about summer travel. It’s a bit of a mess. You know it. We know it.

The fix is as complicated as the way we got here. First some background, then we want to share some things our customers should do when traveling now and in the future.

How we got here: CLT is operated by a department of the City of Charlotte. We work with countless businesses that make leisure and business travel possible. Think airlines, concessions, bag handlers, security screeners, air traffic controllers and so many others. You can also think of us this way – the Aviation Department is like the mall operator renting to the businesses, such as the airlines, that are here. While the staff who help operate the Airport don’t schedule (or cancel) your flights or handle your luggage, we all recognize we have a role, and we recognize it’s a tough time to travel.

Recovering from the pandemic has been a challenge. Thousands in the aviation industry and supporting businesses were laid off or furloughed while travelers were hunkered down in quarantine. Some workers left the busy, people-filled Airport environment like an airport because of COVID concerns. Some found other jobs and moved on. That created staffing shortages that many in the travel business are still scrambling to fix today. We’ve all heard about the nationwide shortage of workers. The pandemic did a number on our workforce too, and we still feel its effects months after a new normal. Meanwhile, our customers were emerging from lockdowns and eager to travel, anywhere.

Pilots are retiring at the mandatory age 65 in record numbers. During the pandemic, the training and licensing of new pilots slowed. Airlines offered early retirement packages to pilots and crew to help offset sudden unemployment and cut costs while planes sat empty. At the same time, rental car and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft have not recovered as quickly as some would like thanks to COVID.

As people are emerging from two-plus years of laying low because of COVID, supply and demand disconnects are wreaking havoc on travel. Holidays compound this because more people travel during the summer and holidays than at any other time of the year.

This July 4 weekend it's predicted record numbers of people will be flying to, from and through CLT. Ours has been one of a few airports in the nation to recover quickly from the pandemic thanks to its close relationship with American Airlines and our position as its second-largest hub.

So, yes, we’re busy here at CLT. You must plan for your travel. There will be more cars on our roads, longer lines, longer wait times for shuttle buses and the parking facilities, including the cell phone waiting lot, will fill up fast.

We know our customers are adapting. We appreciate it, but now more than ever, planning ahead of coming to the Airport is essential.

PARKING: When you book your flight, reserve your parking at the same time at parkCLT.com. Demand for parking is high at CLT and has been for months. Rental car and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft have not recovered as quickly as some would like thanks to COVID. If you are coming to the Airport, a reservation made at least six hours in advance (but we recommend much more advance booking because of high demand) is a way to guarantee you have a parking place. And don’t forget, you can always have someone drop you off at the airport or you can catch a bus or a taxi instead.

EXPECT LINES: Get here early. There are going to be crowds and lines. Plan on it. Arriving an hour before your flight is scheduled to leave is not enough time anymore.

You need to be in the terminal in line with your airline or at the security checkpoint two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before international flights. This is the minimum. Anything less and you risk missing your flight. Don’t take that chance.

AIRLINES: Eight major airlines operate at CLT with American Airlines being the largest and accounting for nearly 90 percent of all arrivals and departures. It’s important that if you are told your flight is delayed, or worse canceled, that you get in touch with your airline as quickly as possible. Some airlines are already offering travel waivers ahead of the July 4 holiday. Download the airline’s app on your mobile device. Save their numbers on your cell phone. Have their contact information readily available.

PATIENCE: Thank you for your business. As we all work to recover from the pandemic and as you take to the skies this weekend and in the days ahead, please follow signs or ask an Airport worker for help when needed. We recognize it’s tough out there for everyone – from the people who check you in for your flight to those who make your coffee to the men and women who pilot and crew the planes that fly you to your travel destination.

Don’t take chances with your travel, especially right now when so much can go awry.

Jun. 14, 2022 - Everyone has moved at least once in their lives. Nobody would say it is fun.

CLT is going to be experiencing a big move in the not-too-distant future that will affect our community.

The key word there is MOVE.

Not close. Not end. No going away parties. No thanks-for-memories, to be relegated to the mind’s eye. This will be a short move. Just a few thousand feet.

As with any move there must be planning. And an upgrade or two. Or, in this case, about 15.

Plans are underway to relocate the Airport Overlook as part of the North End Around Taxiway project, which includes airfield improvements associated with the forthcoming runway.

To be clear: The current Airport Overlook will NOT close until the new area is open to the public.

A simple address change, without the need to contact the U.S. Postal Service to get the mail forwarded.

The popular area was called “one of the seven wonders of Charlotte” by the Charlotte Observer. It will remain on Airport property and maintain the spectacular airfield, skyline and terminal views you have come to enjoy.

There are many exciting things in store and those will be shared at the appropriate time.

Until that new “house” is built and ready for yard-of-the-month eligibility, you can continue to enjoy the space at 4355 Airport Overlook Drive from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Jan. 12, 2022 - For two years we at CLT have pivoted countless times, strived to persevere through one of the most challenging times in aviation history and ridden the roller coaster of an always evolving public health crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic took the wind from under our wings at first. The Airport never closed, but our business partners were forced to shutter either for safety reasons or due to the lack of passengers and customers in the pandemic’s early days. We hobbled along as people canceled flights and stayed home. We took advantage of the “slow time” to make changes and improvements throughout the Airport so that customers felt safe and could stay healthy while traveling.

It was scary as all get out. We grappled alongside our customers to stay safe while working to keep the Airport operating and vital to the nation’s air transportation network and to restore passenger confidence in flying.

It wasn’t easy either. There were days when the Airport was so full that people wondered if there was a pandemic going on. CLT was busier than most other airports because it is American Airlines’ second-largest U.S. hub and a hub American deemed vital to its business despite the pandemic. So, when we are busy, we are REALLY busy.

We have been blessed for many months now with a busy airport. We are nearly as busy now as we were in 2019, our record-breaking year for passengers. We are happy that customers have the confidence to fly again.

But just as we did in the first wake of the pandemic, our efforts to provide a safe Airport remain steadfast as we come upon year three of living with COVID-19. Many of the changes we made more than a year ago remain in place:

Enhanced housekeeping: Airport housekeeping is a 24/7 job anyway, but throughout the pandemic, we have ramped up efforts to monitor cleanliness and pay special attention to the things you encounter often. Our partners in the terminal, such as the airlines, retail and dining concessions and others, continue to take steps to stem to spread of COVID-19.

Healthy air: Hospital-grade air filters are in place throughout CLT’s heating and air conditioning systems and in many places, UV-C light also sanitizes the air. UV lighting also is being used to continuously clean the people-mover handrails.

Hand Sanitizing Stations: More than 60 hand sanitizing stations were installed throughout the terminal when soap and water are not readily available.

Protective Shields: Many customer-service counters - from stores to airline ticket counters to parking toll booths to the security checkpoints – are equipped with protective shields for added passenger and employee safety.

Masks Required: The Transportation Security Administration still requires anyone coming in the Airport or one of our other facilities (such as parking decks and shuttle buses) to always wear a mask. Airlines require their customers to wear a mask while onboard flights too. If you forget yours or need a fresh one, masks are available at each security checkpoint podium and the Visitor Info Center located in Baggage Claim. Please Rock Your Mask for everyone’s safety.

Safety Approval: To ensure we were doing all we can, we sought independent review. CLT was the first airport in North Carolina to receive the international stamp of approval for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic when it comes to cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in our facilities. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation recognizes CLT has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facilities. We are in the process of seeking reaccreditation.

In March 2020 as it is today in January 2022, we are committed to ensuring our passengers have a safe and positive travel experience when flying to, from or through Charlotte Douglas International. It’s been a long, challenging two years. We are glad passengers feel confident to fly again and we are looking forward to a 2022 that is prosperous for all the businesses at CLT. Their livelihood and the airport’s impact on the local and state economy depend on it.