Overnight Transformation: Runway Renumbering Begins

CLT’s airfield transformation reached a new milestone this month, as the first of the Airport’s three parallel runways was repainted and redesignated.

The Airport’s westernmost runway officially became 01L-19R. (It was previously known as 36L-18R.)

Repaint Done Overnight

The runway was closed from 9 p.m. on May 13 to 9 a.m. on May 14 so crews could blast out and remove the old numbers, then repaint the large 60-by-20-foot digits.

“Redesignating Runway 01L-19R was a true milestone for our team,” said CLT Director of Engineering Ashton Watson. “Our crews, contractors and operations staff worked seamlessly throughout the night to remove the old markings and install the new ones with precision.”

CLT is slowly repainting pavement markings and replacing runway signage to make way for the new Fourth Parallel Runway, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2027.

Since CLT has multiple north-south parallel runways—and only three can be designated left, center, and right—the Airport is renumbering all of them. The changes are being made for system-wide consistency, safety and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and regulations.

“This isn’t just repainting numbers — it’s a safety critical operation that demands coordination and zero room for error,” added Watson. “The work positions us for the next phase of CLT’s airfield transformation and ensures a smooth, safe transition as we prepare for the new Fourth Parallel Runway.”

The next runway redesignations will take place on July 9 and September 3:

• July 9 (36C-18C becomes 01R-19L)
• Sept. 3 (36R-18L becomes 36-18)
• Fall 2027 (New 01C-19C opens)

This staggered timeline allows air traffic controllers and pilots enough time to adapt to the changes and for aviation charts to be updated and synchronized – a process that happens every 56 days.

Digital Twin Taking Shape

The new Fourth Parallel Runway will be equipped with 2,000 sensors, creating a "Digital Twin" and a fully instrumented runway.

The sensors will measure things like moisture, stress and friction, providing the Airport with real-time pavement data to better inform operational and safety decisions. The research will be shared with the FAA to enhance future airfield pavement design.

The $6.5 million-dollar Digital Twin project is a partnership between CLT and the UNC Charlotte Aviation and Innovation Research Institute (AIR).