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Flying high again: CLT executive talks airport’s recovery, construction update and what’s ahead

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The low point at Charlotte Douglas International Airport came in April 2020. During that month, the number of passengers plummeted 91% from the previous year.

Charlotte Douglas faced the same Covid-19 headwinds that crippled the travel and hospitality sectors across the country for more than a year. As vaccines diminish the potency of the pandemic, passenger traffic has surged. In May, Charlotte Douglas traffic reached 93% of pre-Covid travel levels.

Despite those gains, the airport — and travel and tourism — face continuing challenges.

CLT and others are struggling to recover what was lost while grappling with new expectations from travelers. All the while, key partners, from airlines to rental car companies and on to terminal restaurants and shops, face (hopefully) short-term inflation and labor challenges.

To get a sense of the airport’s recovery and plans, CBJ recently spoke with Charlotte Douglas Chief Operating Officer Jack Christine.

Read the full story here.

(Watch Below: American Airlines says it will cancel flights at Charlotte Douglas to ease strain)