Charlotte City Council has just approved a historic $2.1 billion airport expansion deal that keeps American Airlines anchored at Charlotte Douglas for another decade.
Council approved the new Airline Use and Lease Agreement in an 8-2 vote Monday. The deal runs 10½ years beginning Jan. 1, 2027, with an option for five more years.
The agreement covers American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and United. American has the largest presence, leasing 93 of CLT’s 123 gates.
The deal supports a $2.1 billion capital program called CLT Beyond.
Plans include a major Concourse C expansion, new gates, a passenger tunnel, international-arrivals upgrades and airfield improvements.
That $2.1 billion is separate from CLT’s roughly $1 billion fourth parallel runway, already under construction and expected to open in 2027.
The airport says the expansion will not rely on Charlotte property taxes. CLT operates as a self-supporting enterprise funded largely through airline fees, airport revenue and financing.
The new capital program is more than four times larger than the roughly $460 million program tied to the previous airline agreement.
Supporters said the deal protects Charlotte’s role as a major aviation hub and gives the airport long-term certainty for expansion.
Opponents raised concerns about wages and working conditions for subcontracted airport workers. More than 50 people signed up to speak before the vote.
American Airlines operates its second-largest hub at CLT, making the agreement one of the most consequential airport deals Charlotte has approved in years.
