CLT Airport Earns AA- and Aa3 Credit Ratings on Bonds

CHARLOTTE, NC – Two leading rating agencies recently assigned high-grade ratings to bonds issued on Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s (CLT) behalf, underscoring its continued financial strength and strategic importance.

Fitch Ratings revised the rating outlook on airport revenue bonds to positive from stable. It also assigned an 'AA-' rating to approximately $210.2 million of series 2026 airport revenue bonds to be issued by the city and affirmed the 'AA-' rating on approximately $1.8 billion of outstanding parity bonds. The revision reflects CLT’s improved financial profile, its position as American Airlines’ second-largest hub, and its ranking as a top ten airport.

Moody’s Investors Service assigned an Aa3 rating to the airport’s approximately $210 million Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2026 (Non-AMT). It also affirmed the Aa3 rating on outstanding airport revenue bonds. The outlook was declared stable, citing strong enplanement performance and a cost per enplanement that remains below that of other connecting hubs, supported by the airport’s ongoing capital improvement program.

“Moody’s and Fitch’s ratings are a clear vote of confidence in CLT’s disciplined financial stewardship and long-term strategy,” said Mike Hill, chief financial officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “With a surge in local passenger growth and Charlotte’s thriving economy, we’re proud of our momentum as American Airlines’ second-largest hub and even more excited about continuing to invest in world-class facilities and experiences for our passengers.”

The North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC) authorized Charlotte to issue $215 million in revenue bonds to help pay for the under construction fourth parallel runway. The commission also approved $175 million in revenue bond anticipation notes for existing runway rehabilitation, work on the terminal and other projects at the airport.

CLT ranks seventh worldwide in preliminary 2025 rankings from Airports Council International (ACI). That’s down just one spot from last year, illustrating the continued strength of CLT as one of the busiest airports in the country. The rankings were buoyed by evolving passenger activity at CLT and increased international travel.

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