Charlotte Douglas International Airport is bracing for an influx of holiday travelers, with estimates pointing to over 2.75 million people passing through between last Friday and January 5. This marks a 6% increase from last year's figures, showcasing a significant growth in holiday movement through the transport hub, as reported by Country 103.7FM.
Alongside record-breaking passenger traffic, the number of takeoffs and landings during this period is expected to hit around 25,000, which is an 8% uptick from the previous year. American Airlines is set to operate a majority of these flights, according to details from Power 98FM, running 13,000 voyages and ferrying approximately 1.3 million passengers through their hub.
With the anticipation of hectic travel days, particularly on last Friday, today, and tomorrow, travelers like Demetri Pharr have spoken out about the early rush, with Pharr saying, "I’m on my way to Sacramento, California, to visit my brother and his family," in an interview obtained by Power 98FM. The airport is preparing for daily foot traffic ranging from 60,000 to 80,000 connecting passengers, and 14,000 to 15,000 local travelers during peak times.
To accommodate the rising demand, airport infrastructure has seen some upgrades. Three new inner road lanes have been added, and two pedestrian bridges installed, say officials quoted by Country 103.7FM. Additionally, a realignment of vehicle flow has been introduced, moving all vehicle activity to the inner three departure lanes while buses are now rerouted to operate on the lower level.
Given the record number of people expected to make their way through Charlotte Douglas International this holiday season, airport officials, as noted by WBTV, are recommending that travelers arrive two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours ahead for international journeys. Evidencing the sheer volume, this season's traffic overshadows the significant turnout seen during Thanksgiving, which previously set a high-water mark with 990,000 passengers.
