Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has just been ranked as the 6th busiest airport in the world, according to a new report from the Airports Council International (ACI).
The report shows that Charlotte Douglas handled 596,583 takeoffs and landings, marking an 11% increase over 2023 and moving it up one spot from last year.
The airport also rose two spots to seventh in North America for total passenger volume. Globally, CLT now ranks 23rd for passenger traffic, with final ACI rankings expected later this year.
CLT set a new all-time passenger record in 2024, welcoming 58.8 million travelers, a 10% increase from its previous record of 53.4 million in 2023. International travel rose 13%, with 2.4 million international passengers, up from 2.1 million in 2023. The airport currently serves 42 international destinations and is home to three foreign flag carriers.
Charlotte Douglas outpaced global hubs including Los Angeles (LAX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Istanbul (IST), and Guangzhou (CAN) in total aircraft operations.
Meanwhile, the airport continues major construction under its Destination CLT program. The Terminal Lobby Expansion, set for completion in 2025, will add 175,000 square feet of new space and renovate 191,000 square feet of existing facilities. On March 24, CLT opened Transportation Security Administration Checkpoint 2, completing its shift from five lettered checkpoints to three numbered ones.
