Charlotte airport details holiday traffic changes after Thanksgiving travel mess
Traffic improvements are coming to Charlotte Douglas International Airport for the remainder of the holiday travel season, after traffic snarls around the terminal over Thanksgiving left many drivers angry and upset, the airport announced Thursday.
Airport officials did not say precisely when changes would begin, but noted that “short-term operational adjustments will be implemented for the winter holiday travel period. Some of the moves involve more workers at the airport, signage changes and bus route modifications.
Passengers were frustrated about traffic jams near the airport before and after Thanksgiving, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. With a major influx of customers, people took to social media to vent about how they were waiting almost an hour or having to walk towards the front door from the side of the road.
Before Thanksgiving, the airport was expecting around 900,000 local and connecting passengers from Nov. 16 through the Monday after the holiday. But the total came out to 836,000. Charlotte Douglas set an all-time record on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with an estimated 89,500 passengers. Last year’s total was 75,634.
The Thanksgiving travel period also saw local passenger traffic exceed last year’s count by 18%.
“CLT recognizes the challenges our customers experienced driving to the airport,” the airport said in a news release,“ and is committed to short-term and long-term improvements to accommodate the increased levels of activity.
What’s changing at CLT airport?
Airport officials said short- and long-term improvements are coming this month for winter holiday traffic.
Portions of the airport shuttle bus route will be changed to reduce congestion. Additional workers also will be placed along the terminal curb front to help with outside foot traffic.
The airport is joining the the city’s transportation department and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for traffic and signal upgrades. That includes changing the signalization of traffic lights and using airport signs to communicate real-time updates about how long it will take people to get to the terminal, Observer news partner WSOC reported.
For a long-term upgrade, Charlotte Douglas officials will evaluate the airport’s inbound roadway system to account for recent increases in vehicle traffic and future growth. There is no timeline for any long term changes, airport officials said.
Arriving on time at the airport
As they always do, airport officials encourage passengers to add extra time to their schedule to avoid traffic problems, while also looking at conditions on the roads.
Passengers should arrive at the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, airport officials said. Estimated wait times for security checkpoints are available on the airport’s website and through the app.
They also are asking customers to book parking in advance online at parkCLT.com.
