American Airlines commits to expanding its operations in Charlotte. Photo: American Airlines American Airlines is strengthening its commitment to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina with a new 10.5-year agreement that will enable approximately $2 billion in infrastructure investments.
The agreement was signed between the airport, American Airlines and other airlines operating there, and was approved by the Charlotte City Council.
The planned investments will be carried out as part of the CLT Beyond development plan, and will include upgrades and expansions to the terminal, runway complex and airport facilities.
Key projects include: expanding Concourse C and adding boarding gates, renovating international passenger arrival facilities, upgrading aviation infrastructure and planning for the next phases of the airport's development.
According to the company, the investments will be funded by the airlines and not by taxpayers. They are expected to support the continued growth of the airport, improve the passenger experience and enable future expansion of international flight offerings. The projects are also expected to create jobs and business opportunities for small businesses in the area.
The new agreement will take effect on January 1, 2027, and will run through June 30, 2037. It continues a partnership spanning more than four decades between American Airlines and the City of Charlotte, during which the airport has become one of the company's main hubs.
Today, Charlotte is American Airlines' second-largest hub, with up to 650 daily flights and connections to more than 180 destinations in 27 countries. About 16,500 of the company's employees work in the Charlotte area, making it one of the region's largest employers.
Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, said the company has grown alongside the city for more than 40 years, helping to make the airport a major international gateway, while creating jobs and promoting economic activity in North Carolina.
He said the new investments will strengthen the region's international connections and create additional opportunities for residents, businesses and travelers.
The airport's CEO, Haley Gentry, also emphasized the importance of cooperation and the need to adapt infrastructure to the region's growth. According to her, the agreement will make it possible to promote the infrastructure required to improve the passenger experience and maintain CLT's status as a leading international aviation gateway.
Alongside the airport's investment plan, American Airlines is promoting a series of additional measures to improve the passenger experience in Charlotte. The company plans to open the largest Admirals Club lounge in its network, with an area of more than 40,000 square feet, approximately 3,700 square meters. The lounge will be located in the central area of the airport, on the mezzanine level of the atrium, and its design is expected to incorporate elements identified with the city and the region. In addition, the company announced plans to establish a Flagship lounge in Charlotte for the first time, designed for premium passengers.
International flight offerings are also expected to expand. In the summer of 2027, the company plans to operate its largest-ever transatlantic flight schedule from Charlotte, with 11 daily flights to nine European destinations. Among the destinations: Barcelona, which will join the direct flight network, along with Athens, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris and Rome.
The company also notes an improvement in operational metrics and passenger satisfaction at the airport. The company's Charlotte crews handle about 80,000 passengers and 50,000 pieces of baggage every day, and American says investments in staff, flight schedules, and technology are improving reliability.
Beyond aviation operations, American Airlines' Charlotte hub contributes more than $30 billion to the North Carolina economy and supports more than 150,000 jobs across the state, according to company data.
American also promotes regional programs to train workers for the aviation industry. As part of a collaboration with the local campus of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, the company has expanded training tracks for aircraft mechanics, along with $25,000 scholarships for local high school students and tuition assistance for airport employees interested in joining the field.
The company also collaborates with schools, colleges, universities and employment organizations in the area, and promotes community and sports activities, including through collaborations with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC teams.
According to Izom, the airport's success is directly tied to the success of the city and the region, and the company intends to continue investing in Charlotte's infrastructure, employees, and air connectivity in the years to come.