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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Letter of Intent to fund $290 million for the Fourth Parallel Runway project in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding. The Fourth Parallel Runway was identified in the Airport’s 2016 Master Plan Update to address current capacity and future demand. “We are thrilled to receive this notable investment from the FAA,” said CLT Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry. “The funding will enable the airport to continue progress on this crucial and nationally significant infrastructure project, boosting capacity and operational efficiency.” The 10,000-foot-long by 150-foot-wide runway, is positioned west of Runway 18C/36C. The construction also includes north and south end-around taxiways, which will allow aircraft arriving on the existing western runway to bypass the new runway and the center runway. This enhancement will notably reduce aircraft operating time, fuel consumption, and emissions, while also decreasing long wait times for passengers. CLT has the highest share of connecting passengers at any airport in the U.S. “The FAA and the Biden-Harris Administration are pleased to assist CLT in ensuring the safest and most stress-free experience for travelers possible,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. “The fourth runway project delivers on both goals – not only for travelers in and out of Charlotte, but for those visiting one of the nearly 200 cities with routes from CLT.” CLT broke ground on the project in June 2023. Grading is currently in progress and will continue through mid-2026. Concrete paving is set to begin in 2025 and wrap up by early 2027, with commissioning planned for fall 2027. Visitors to the Airport Overlook at CLT can catch a glimpse of ongoing runway and taxiway construction. Certain nearby roadways will experience closures and detours as construction advances. It is the final project in the Destination CLT portfolio—a $4 billion capital investment in capacity enhancements—and the sole new runway construction project currently underway in the United States. According to Airports Council International, CLT is the seventh busiest airport in the world for arrivals and departures. It also ranks as the fourth busiest US Domestic Airport Megahub, based on a recent study by OAG, a leading data platform in the global travel industry. This study evaluates airports based on the highest ratio of scheduled connections to the number of destinations they serve. In 2023, passenger traffic set a record at 53.4 million in 2023, and 2024 is projecting to break records once again.
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