CLT Welcomes 27.2 Million Passengers In 2020

Charlotte NC

12 February, 2021

12:26 PM

Description

Press release from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 2021-02-10 COVID-19 impacts on airline travel stifled Charlotte Douglas International Airport's 2020 year-end passenger and operation numbers. The Airport served 27.2 million passengers in 2020, a 46 percent drop from CLT's all-time high of 50.2 million passengers in 2019. The last time CLT had similar numbers was in 2005. "Nearly 30 million passengers is still a big number," said Acting Aviation Director/CEO Haley Gentry. "By far, it's definitely not where we want to be, but we are faring much better than many of our counterparts who have seen passenger reductions between 60 to 70 percent." Today, Charlotte Douglas is at 54 percent of its 2019 passenger numbers due to fewer business and leisure travelers. Overall, aircraft operations logged 397,983 departures and arrivals in 2020 compared to 578,263 in 2019, a 31 percent drop. Flights, however, were added last year from Charlotte. Early in the pandemic American Airlines identified CLT as a focus city as it rallied to rebuild its schedule. American launched service in 2020 to Appleton, Wis.; Bozeman, Mont.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Williamsport, Pa. and Montrose-Telluride, Colo. Southwest Airlines also began flights to Denver, St. Louis and Phoenix. CLT currently offers nonstop flights to 180 destinations, including 35 international locations and three U.S. territories. Cargo, although slightly down, was the big winner of 2020 due to the popularity of e-commerce with 174,913 tons of goods transported through CLT versus 184,449 tons in 2019, a 5 percent dip. The Airport remained focused throughout 2020 on instilling confidence in passengers to fly again and to deter the spread of COVID-19. Numerous safety measures were implemented. A housekeeping crew of nearly 300 employees worked around the clock to provide daily and deep cleanings with extra attention given to high-touch points. Protective shields were installed at ticket counters and cashier booths, and touchless payment options were introduced at many concessions. Hundreds of signs were placed in the terminal reminding passengers to wear a face covering, wash their hands and social distance. As a result, CLT earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation in December, which recognizes Charlotte Douglas has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in its facilities. CLT is the first airport in the state of North Carolina to achieve the accreditation. Nationwide just 13 airports have received the GBAC accreditation, although numerous others are in the process. The Airport's high safety standards have been recognized by customers as well. In CLT's most recent 2020 passenger survey, nine out of 10 passengers gave the Airport high marks for the cleanliness of the terminal and eight out of 10 passengers were highly satisfied with the Airport overall. On another high note, Destination CLT, the Airport's $2.5 to $3.1 billion capital improvement program, continued making progress. Charlotte Douglas completed Concourse A and C renovations in 2020 and construction of the Terminal Lobby Expansion remains on schedule for completion in 2025. "The past year has been a learning experience for all of us," Gentry said. "If anything, it has taught us perseverance, resilience and how to develop multiple plans. We remain vigilant about the needs of our passengers and employees and are truly optimistic about what lies ahead for CLT in 2021." As an economic engine of the Carolinas, in 2019 CLT contributed $24.6 billion in annual economic input, $1.3 billion in state/local taxes, 169,390 jobs for N.C. residents and $6.8 billion in personal income, according to a report conducted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation. View News Release Full Screen CLT Passenger Numbers CLT Passenger Numbers CLT Passenger Numbers CLT Operation Numbers CLT Operation Numbers CLT Operation Numbers Year Passenger Numbers Percentage Increase/Decrease Year Operation Numbers Landings and Departures Percentage Increase/Decrease 2020 27,205,082 -46% 2020 397,983 -31% 2019 50,179,879 8% 2019 578,263 5% 2018 46,447,638 1% 2018 550,013 0.4% 2017 45,909,899 3% 2017 553,812 0.4% 2016 44,422,022 -1% 2016 545,742 0.3% 2015 44,875,519 1% 2015 543,944 -0.2% 2014 44,272,432 2% 2014 545,178 -2% 2013 43,456,310 5% 2013 557,948 1% 2012 41,228,372 6% 2012 552,093 2% 2011 39,043,708 2% 2011 539,842 2% 2010 38,254,207 11% 2010 529,101 4% 2009 34,536,666 -1% 2009 509,448 -5% 2008 34,739,020 5% 2008 536,253 3% 2007 33,165,688 12% 2007 522,541 3% 2006 29,693,949 5% 2006 509,559 -2% 2005 28,206,052 12% 2005 521,878 11% 2004 25,162,943 9% 2004 468,464 6% 2003 23,062,570 -2% 2003 443,394 -3% 2002 23,597,926 2% 2002 455,516 -1% 2001 23,177,555 0.40% 2001 461,264 2% 2000 23,088,455 2000 452,009 View News Release Full Screen CLT 2020 Month by Month - Operation/Passenger/Cargo/Daily Departure Numbers CLT 2020 Month by Month - Operation/Passenger/Cargo/Daily Departure Numbers CLT 2020 Month by Month - Operation/Passenger/Cargo/Daily Departure Numbers CLT 2020 Month by Month - Operation/Passenger/Cargo/Daily Departure Numbers CLT 2020 Month by Month - Operation/Passenger/Cargo/Daily Departure Numbers Operations Passengers Cargo Daily Departures January 49,692 4,192,829 15,193 772 February 46,000 3,934,246 15,277 759 March 42,129 2,315,652 14,386 654 April 19,189 340,265 13,225 306 May 20,701 1,000,522 13,567 315 June 22,789 1,568,426 13,698 355 July 30,374 1,994,457 14,469 468 August 32,927 2,115,261 14,543 505 September 32,253 2,358,775 15,340 512 October 34,559 2,768,190 16,058 527 November 32,645 2,288,971 14,025 519 December 34,725 2,327,488 15,132 535 Total 397,983 27,205,082 174,913 Average - 519 daily departures This press release was produced by the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The views expressed are the author's own.