‘CLT is not an empty airport.’ What to expect when flying out of Charlotte this summer
Because of the novel coronavirus, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has had to make some changes as it prepares for more passengers to fly in and out during the summer months, airport officials said Tuesday.
In the second week of March, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger numbers dropped by 95%, said Brent Cagle, the airport’s aviation director. He said passenger numbers have risen over the past month and the airport is now seeing a decline of 65% from normal passenger numbers.
Passengers flying out the weekend of July 4 should expect to see an especially busy airport, Cagle said. He said projected passenger numbers for the weekend are over 10,000, the largest traffic the airport has seen since March.
“We have seen steady increases in the number of passengers traveling through CLT every single day and in this building, and so people need to be prepared,” Cagle said. “CLT is not an empty airport.”
What to expect
Passengers shouldn’t expect to show up to the airport and see empty lobbies, Cagle said. He said the airport recommends passengers arrive at least two hours before their flight’s departure.
The airport will be adhering to Gov. Roy Cooper’s statewide policy that people must wear face masks in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own masks, but Cagle said the airport will provide masks to those who don’t bring them.
The airport has hand sanitizing stations throughout the airport and facial coverings will be required for all employees, Cagle said.
“Passengers need to be prepared and we need their help,” he said.
The airport has not yet had a situation where a passenger has refused to wear a mask, and Cagle said refusal to wear a mask will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Transportation Security Administration procedures still apply, except for a national TSA exception that allows passengers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces in their carry-on bag.
Only hourly parking Iots at the airport are open, and other daily and long term parking lots will open in phases, the airport said in a statement.
American Airlines capacity
These changes come as American Airlines, the dominant carrier for the Charlotte airport, announced flights will be booked to capacity starting Wednesday.
“As demand has grown, the amount of seats on the aircraft are in high demand,” said Ralph Lopez, vice president of Charlotte Hub Operations for American.
Customers who want to switch to less crowded flights are able to do so, he said. They will not have to pay a change fee for flights booked through Sept. 30, the airline said in a statement.
In addition, if space is available after boarding is complete, customers may move to another seat, the airline said.
Passengers who fly American will go through a COVID-19 symptom checklist and will be required to wear masks while boarding the plane.
Lopez said customers who refuse to wear a mask while boarding won’t be allowed to enter the plane, but will be allowed to change their flight.
He said he believes American’s new airplane cleaning policies will help ensure the safety of passengers.
American planes are disinfected after every flight, with seats, tray tables and other surroundings cleaned. Every seven days, planes are disinfected with a spray that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
American’s planes also have a filtration system that provides a complete air change every two to four minutes.
“It’s all designed to ensure the customer journey is safe, and that both customers and team members uphold their responsibility in limiting the spread of COVID-19,” Lopez said.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 2:51 PM with the headline "‘CLT is not an empty airport.’ What to expect when flying out of Charlotte this summer."
