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Airport concourse being expanded to keep up with demand

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The new expansion of Concourse A at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is impressive from the outside for some people.

Antoine Nelson, of Charlotte, looks at the new project each time he drives into the airport.

"I think they're really outdoing themselves,” Nelson said. “They're building an airport fit for a queen, so you know, I think it's necessary."

Channel 9 got a look inside the 229,000-square-foot building. Airport leaders told Channel 9 the addition is being built to keep up with the current demand.

"This project is really being driven by local growth in our market," said deputy aviation director Jack Christine.

The new building is 70 percent complete and will accommodate nine planes when it's done.

The passengers waiting for those flights will have new seats with power outlets to charge their phones and tablets, as well as a new bar, cafes and stores.

The 370 windowpanes will tint when the sun shines through them.

The expansion opens in June with more construction in the works.

Construction on the first of two more new additions to Concourse A, identical to the one nearing completion, is still at least a year away.

Travelers will have to navigate through construction in the airport lobby, which is also expected to start in about a year.

"That all the pre-security areas, where you need to get your tickets, those types of things. All those areas will be rebuilt and expanded." Christine said.

Some passengers are dreading the construction but they know it a necessity.

"I think it's necessary, being all the traffic and all the people are migrating here," Nelson said.

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