CLT Welcomes 53.6 Million Passengers in 2025, Second Busiest Year on Record
Year included local passenger traffic record and infrastructure milestones
CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) served 53.6 million passengers in 2025, making it the second busiest year on record following the unprecedented totals of 2024. Local passenger traffic set a record fueled by the region’s rapid population boom. Passengers were met with an expanded terminal lobby, security checkpoints, and baggage systems.
“The 2025 volumes reflect continued demand for air travel at CLT, and the airport responded with milestone facility improvements and amenities in commitment to meeting the needs of our passengers,” said Haley Gentry, CEO at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “2026 will be a year of sustainable, long-term growth as we continue investing in critical infrastructure to enhance efficiency, capacity and the passenger experience.”
Passenger activity at CLT continues to evolve, with 35% of travelers beginning their trip in Charlotte — up 10% from 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.
International travel remained strong, with 4.7 million international passengers traveling through CLT in 2025. Charlotte Douglas connects travelers to 43 international destinations. American Airlines added nonstop service to Athens, Greece, on June 5, and in May, Etihad Airways announced it will launch nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi, UAE, beginning March 20.
The airport recorded 574,193 aircraft operations, a 4% decline from 2024 and 7% increase compared to 2023.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | vs. 2024 | vs.2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Passengers | 53.6 M | 58.8 M | 53.5 M | -9% | 0.2% |
| International Passengers | 4.7 M | 4.8 M | 4.3 M | -2% | 10% |
| Aircraft Operations | 574,193 | 596,583 | 539,066 | -4% | 7% |
Construction projects will continue throughout the year 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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