CLT Airport Welcomes Independence Day Travelers
Peak passenger volumes expected June 26, July 2 and July 5
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Independence Day holiday is set to bring one of the busiest travel periods of the summer to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), with approximately 1.6 million passengers forecasted to pass through CLT between June 26 and July 6. Passenger volumes are expected to remain elevated throughout the 11-day period, with the busiest travel days projected to be Friday, June 26; Thursday, July 2; and Sunday, July 5.
“Fourth of July is typically the busiest of the summer and many people are using the long holiday weekend to fly,” said Jeff Perry, chief operating officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “Our teams are working closely with our partners to ensure a safe and efficient experience for everyone traveling through Charlotte.”
Passenger activity is projected to be down 6.7% compared to the same period last year; however, local demand remains strong and consistent with 2025 trends, with Charlotte's arriving and departing passengers expected to account for 35.4% of the total volume. More than 7,600 flights are scheduled to depart CLT during this time. The Transportation Security Administration is testing eight e-Gates at Checkpoint 2 that use facial matching technology to enhance security and improve checkpoint efficiency.
Travelers are encouraged to reserve parking in advance at ParkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app. Through the Royalty Program, loyal Airport parking customers can enjoy Royal perks and earn reward points when booking parking online. Beginning July 1, Express Deck Preferred will transition from a valet parking service to a traditional self-parking deck while continuing to operate as reservation-only. Drivers are encouraged to consider alternate routes and arrive at their parking location at least 30 minutes before their desired terminal arrival time.
Summer travel kicked off the week of Memorial Day, which spans Wednesday, May 20, to Tuesday, May 26. That week, CLT recorded 1.05 million arriving and departing passengers, 8.6% lower than 2025.
Looking ahead, CLT’s airline partners are expanding travel options with new and increased offerings. American Airlines launches service to State College, Pa., on Oct. 5 and extends its seasonal Paris route through Jan. 2. JetBlue returns to Charlotte July 9 with three daily flights to Fort Lauderdale, while Etihad Airways continues daily flights to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates through Sept. 8.
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