Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is expecting high passenger numbers this holiday season that may likely set a new passenger record. The latest travel figures show a 1.5 percent increase in fliers originating their flight at CLT this Thanksgiving compared to last year.

To accommodate holiday travel demands, CLT is:

• Stationing traffic officers in front of the terminal and along other roadway locations as needed to assist with traffic flow, as well as positioning additional aviation department, TSA and airline staff in the lobby to assist customers
• Adding additional aviation department staff in the lobby areas to assist passengers
• Placing information officers inside the new hourly deck to help navigate drivers and passengers to the terminal
• Adding more resources to airport shuttle bus and parking operations

The airport’s busiest travel days are expected to be Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 26, which are historically the busiest travel days of the year. Passenger traffic is expected to peak once again Sunday, Nov. 30 and Monday, Dec. 1, as travelers return home. The latest projections show 152,900 travelers will originate their flight at Charlotte-Douglas between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1.

Roadways are expected to be congested with holiday travel. Parking will be in high demand Monday, Nov. 24 – Monday, Dec. 1. Drivers are encouraged to use the new hourly deck for picking up and dropping off passengers. It is free for the first hour and within walking distance to the terminal.

 

If traveling over the holidays, plan your trip to the Airport.

• Visit parking.charlotteairport.com and view CLT’s real-time parking map.
• Call 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions.
• Slow down and adhere to the signs when approaching the terminal. Several roadway changes have occurred over the past year at Charlotte Douglas.
• Pay attention to and follow CLT’s dynamic roadway signs located around Charlotte Douglas for information on which lots are open or closed.
• Use the Pay&Go stations when leaving the terminal for a quicker exit. Four Pay & Go stations are located in the new hourly deck and at the daily deck’s shuttle bus stop. Two more are located on the curbside in front of the arrivals/baggage area. Remember to keep your ticket with you. Upon your return trip home, place your parking ticket in a Pay&Go station and pay by credit card. A validated ticket will be returned. Drivers may then proceed to any lane in the designated lots and insert their validated ticket in the machine to exit.

 

Travelers should also consider other travel options for arriving at that Airport, including:

• Carpooling
• Catching a ride to the terminal
• Taking a taxi
• Riding the CATS Sprinter bus (Route 5 – Airport) or Airport Connector at Archdale and Northlake Park and Ride lots

 

Holiday Travel Tips:

• View TSA’s travel tips.
• Get dropped off at the Airport, carpool, ride CATS, or use one of the many taxi and ground transportation companies serving the Airport.
• Visitors picking up family or friends are encouraged to park in the new Hourly Deck. It’s within walking distance to the terminal and the first hour is free.
• Another option is to park in one of two free Cell Phone Lots located off Rental Car Road. Just wait in your vehicle and ask your passenger to contact you when they claim their luggage, then drive to either level of the terminal to pick them up.
• Passengers can be picked up and dropped off along the terminal’s curbside, however, vehicles cannot be left unattended. Curbside parking is not allowed and unattended vehicles may be towed. This includes all lanes on the ticketing and baggage claim levels.
• Check with your airline for updated flight information, as well as baggage size and weight rules. Additional fees could be applicable.

• For up-to-date parking conditions and prices, call 704.359.5555 or visit parking.charlotteairport.com.

 

         Departing Passenger Tips:

• Passengers are advised to arrive early for their flights. When traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, allow for even more time.
• TSA security Checkpoints A and C will open at 4 a.m., followed by Checkpoints B and D opening at 5 a.m. and Checkpoint E at 6 a.m.
• Checkpoint queue lines may be adjusted to accommodate the anticipated crowds. Pay close attention to signage directing you to the proper queue lines.
• Save time by printing boarding passes at home.
• Obtain specific information about Charlotte Douglas International Airport by visiting cltairport.com or by calling the Airport’s automated phone information line at 704.359.4910.
• Contact your airline for updated flight information.

 

Follow CLT’s Twitter feed (@CLTAirport) for the most up-to-date parking tips, and visit parking.charlotteairport.com for a complete list of holiday parking and travel tips. For the latest Airport news, link to newsroom.cltairport.com.