CLT Ranks Seventh in Preliminary ACI World Airport Traffic Rankings

CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) ranked seventh worldwide for aircraft operations in Airports Council International’s (ACI) 2025 preliminary rankings, slipping just one spot from last year while maintaining its position among the busiest airports in North America and globally for passenger traffic. CLT holds the 11th place in North America and 35th worldwide in passenger activity. Final rankings will be released later this year.

“The strength of the hub continues to drive connectivity and demand, and we remain proud to be among the world’s busiest airports,” said Haley Gentry, Chief Executive Officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “We are focused on building for the future through continued investment in our infrastructure while maintaining a strong passenger experience.”

The airport recorded 574,193 aircraft operations, a 4% decline from 2024 and 7% increase compared to 2023.

The total exceeded global hubs Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Istanbul (IST) and Guangzhou (CAN).

Passenger activity at CLT continues to evolve, with 35% of travelers beginning their trip in Charlotte — up from 26% a decade ago — while 65% connect through the airport. Nearly 12 million travelers passed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in 2025, a 2% decrease from 2024 but 9% higher than 2023. The October completion of the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE), the largest passenger facing construction project in CLT history, added 175,000 square feet of lobby space and renovated another 191,000 square feet to accommodate the regional surge. The security checkpoints benefitted from additional lanes and technological innovations. In addition, 18 new concessions were introduced throughout the terminal, expanding dining and retail options and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

International travel remained strong in 2025, with 4.7 million passengers flying through CLT on global routes, a 5.1% growth in international boardings over the past decade. Charlotte Douglas offers connections to 44 international destinations. Last year, CLT’s airline partners introduced four new nonstop routes, including American Airlines’ launch of direct service to Athens, Greece.

Construction projects will continue throughout 2026 on the Fourth Parallel Runway and its associated taxiways. Renovations on Concourses D and E are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

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