Charlotte's airport one of nation's busiest

Even with the recession curbing air travel in the past year, Charlotte's airport remains one of the nation's busiest.

Located six miles west of uptown, Charlotte/Douglas International is the largest hub for US Airways, which operates nearly 90 percent of daily flights. That's the biggest reason why the airport saw more than 17 million people board flights in 2008 – ninth-most among U.S. airports, behind Phoenix and ahead of New York-JFK.

The airport was No. 8 in the nation for takeoffs and landings last year, with more than 1,400 operations a day, or three or four per minute during peak times. A new runway – parallel to the airport's two main runways – will allow more planes to land at the same time when it opens, possibly by the end of this year.

Although US Airways cut service at other airports in the past year, it has maintained most flights in Charlotte and even added international routes this year. By end of 2009, though, the longest nonstop flight from Charlotte will be domestic, with US Airways starting service to Honolulu, Hawaii, in December.

Seven other U.S. carriers serve Charlotte, and some have trimmed flights. As of May, the airport had 642 daily departures to 128 airports, including about 30 international destinations, most of them in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Charlotte/Douglas International is accessible from the Billy Graham Parkway, Interstate 485 and Wilkinson Boulevard. The airport has about 23,500 parking spaces, and rates vary.

People who are picking up arriving passengers can wait for free in the cell-phone lot. The least expensive lots – $4 a day in long-term – are the farthest from the terminal. Daily parking at $6 a day is closer, while hourly parking at $16 a day is right outside the front door. All lots except hourly have shuttle buses.

Airport officials plan to replace the hourly garages with larger parking decks through a $120 million project over the next few years. The airport also has curbside valet parking for $19 a day and business valet service for $10 a day. A new 3,200-space garage for business valet parking is expected to open at Wilkinson Boulevard and Harlee Avenue by December.

Once inside the terminal, be prepared to pay more than the airfare. Most airlines charge fees to check bags, with US Airways charging $20 for one bag, or $15 if paid online before a flight. The second bag is $30, or $25 if paid online. US Airways and other carriers also charge fees to reserve certain seats during check-in and for food during flights.

Some amenities are still free. For passengers whose flights are delayed or who otherwise have extra time, dozens of white rocking chairs are in the atrium and other locations, providing an opportunity to relax amid the buzz at one of America's busiest airports.

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