Cleared For Landing: FAA commits $290M in funds for new Charlotte airport runway

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a letter of intent to fund $290 million for the Fourth Parallel Runway project at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Officials said the ‘fourth parallel runway’ was identified in CLT airport’s 2016 Master Plan Update to address current capacity and future demand.

“We are thrilled to receive this notable investment from the FAA,” CLT Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry said in a released statement on Tuesday. “The funding will enable the airport to continue progress on this crucial and nationally significant infrastructure project, boosting capacity and operational efficiency.”

The 10,000-foot-long by 150-foot-wide runway is positioned west of Runway 18C/36C. Airport officials said this new enhancement will “notably reduce aircraft operating time, fuel consumption, and emissions, while also decreasing long wait times for passengers.”

CLT airport has the highest share of connecting passengers at any airport in the U.S.

“The fourth runway project delivers on both goals – not only for travelers in and out of Charlotte, but for those visiting one of the nearly 200 cities with routes from CLT,” FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. said in a released statement.

The funds are part of a federal Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) and the runway project is the pièce de résistance in a $4 billion capital investment labeled ‘Destination CLT.’

The runway project broke ground in 2023.

An overlook with several features including a children’s playground as well as concourse and gate upgrades are also part of the investment.

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