CLT Breaks Passenger Record with 58.8 Million in 2024

CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte Douglas International Airport welcomed 58.8 million arriving and departing passengers in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the previous record of 53.4 million set in 2023. The airport has set new passenger records in five of the last eight years, with 2020 to 2022 being the only exceptions.

International travel at CLT also saw a notable 13% increase, growing from 2.1 million passengers in 2023 to 2.4 million in 2024. The airport offers 42 international destinations.

Aircraft operations followed suit with a double-digit rise in 2024. Aircraft movements grew by 11%, reaching 596,583 arrivals and departures, up from 539,066 the previous year.

The majority of the nearly 59 million passengers are connecting, making up approximately 70% of the total. Local passengers spiked consistently throughout the year, with 23 of the 25 busiest days on record occurring in 2024. On May 16, the Airport set a record for the highest single-day local passenger count, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening 45,304 passengers. The top three busiest travel days for total passengers on record are May 24, Oct. 20 and Dec. 1, 2024.

“CLT remains one of the busiest and most efficient airports in the world,” said CLT Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry. “Our record growth in 2024 reflects the dedication of our team, support of our partners and the trust of the passengers who continually choose CLT. We look forward to seeing how our investments in infrastructure, such as the Terminal Lobby Expansion, concourse upgrades and a new taxiway, will contribute to even greater success and enhance the travel experience for all passengers in 2025 and beyond.”

In 2025, significant progress is anticipated with the ongoing expansion of the Destination CLT terminal projects. Construction on the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) which began in 2019, will wrap up later this year. The project added 175,000 square feet to the lobby and renovated 191,000 square feet of existing space. TSA Checkpoint 2 is set to open around Spring Break.

Renovations are progressing on Concourses D and E, including upgrades to the concourses' restrooms and terrazzo flooring. The Concourse D renovations are expected to be completed by the fall of 2026, while Concourse E is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2027.

Beyond the terminal, CLT is also making progress on the airfield. The North End Around Taxiway commissioned Jan. 20. Construction of the new runway is in the early stages. Grading will be underway through mid-2026 and approximately five million cubic yards of runway and taxiway fill remain to be placed. The $1 billion project is scheduled for a fall 2027 commissioning and opening.

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