Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2026

DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

which are long overdue in several of those locations. Having said that, it does not make the concourse wider. We do have long-term design plans to extend Concourses B and C. I expect that project to be part of our upcoming capital program that will be associated with our new lease with the airlines. We are also looking at associated infrastructure that goes with that. We’ll also be looking at circulation. How do you move that many people through the building? I think you’ll see some changes around Concourses D and E in terms of passenger flow. And you’ll see additional concession and/or passenger-focused opportunities coming in. American has recently announced the clubs that they are renovating in Charlotte, which is a win for everyone. WARD: What percentage of your traffic is with American Airlines? GENTRY: We’re at about 89%. WARD: And you mentioned a runway project… GENTRY: The runway project is on schedule, set to open in September 2027. It’s a billion dollar effort that includes the runway and associated projects. Anytime we can lay more pavement, it helps the hub get more efficient because of how quickly they can come and go. WARD: I know you’re in the final stages of Project CLT. What’s next? GENTRY: We are working closely with the airlines right now on our next round of capital improvements. There are the concourse extensions, and we’ve discussed a renovation of our international arrivals area, which is due.

a tremendous, future-forward-looking asset. We renovated space and added space. We widened the roadway, put in walkways and sky bridges that get you from the parking deck, and put in tunnels for rental cars and valet. We widened our checkpoints, we condensed them into supersized checkpoints. Then you go through the checkpoint and you’re in our terminal building, which dates back to 1994. We have done some minor cosmetic renovations [to the concourses], to try to gain extra space. Concourses B and C were completed several years ago, while D and E are currently under renovation. It will [result in] a more uniform look, with a little bit more ceiling height, terrazzo flooring throughout, and renovated restrooms,

Above: The $4 billion Destination CLT advanced terminal, roadway and supporting work to modernize the airport. A runway, also funded through the project, is still under construction. Below left: A focal point of Destination CLT was a terminal lobby expansion, which was completed in autumn of 2025. Below right: The terminal lobby expansion included new and expanded centralized security checkpoints, improving the flow of passengers through the facility.

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AX NEWS MARCH 2026