CLT isn’t just one of busiest US airports. See where new report puts Charlotte worldwide

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major hub for travelers, was named one of the busiest airports in the world.

The Airport Council International says CLT ranked seventh-busiest worldwide for arrivals and departures, according to the group’s preliminary rankings for 2022. Last year alone, the airport handled 505,589 arrivals and departures.

That’s slightly lower than last year’s ranking, when Charlotte ranked fifth on the list for arrivals and departures, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. But in 2022, airport officials said there were more passengers flying through.

In 2022, Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials said nearly 48 million people flew through the airport, which is a 10% jump from 43 million passengers in 2021 and 5% below the record-breaking 50 million passengers in 2019.

“The rankings reflect the confidence and eagerness of passengers returning to the skies and the strength of the American Airlines hub,” said Charlotte Douglas International Airport CEO Haley Gentry.

Gentry said 2023 is on pace to be a full recovery from the pandemic as the airport prepares for its busiest summer ever.

In addition to its ranking for the number of arriving and departing flights, the Charlotte airport also ranked 10th in North America for passengers and 19th for passenger traffic globally.

Charlotte Douglas offers flights to 178 destinations around the world and is home to eight major air carriers, 15 regional carriers and three foreign flag carriers.

But changes are on the way for the airport.

CLT officials are continuing plans for Destination CLT, a $3.1 billion capital investment as part of CLT’s Master Plan Update. It’s aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity as passenger volumes rise. The project includes lobby expansion, terminal renovations and other enhancements around the airport.