17-05-2025
American Airlines' Charlotte hub fuels $30B into North Carolina, says NCSU study
As American Airlines continues to dominate the skies of Charlotte, flights at the city's airport are pumping tens of billions of dollars into North Carolina's economy.
The company's operations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport contribute more than $30 billion into the state's economy, according to the airline and a study from NC State University's Institute for Transportation Research and Education.
Every two years, the institute assists the state of North Carolina in conducting an economic contribution analysis of its public airport system, according to NC State economist Ryan Hassett. As part of the most recent analysis, the institute worked with American on their hub operation in Charlotte specifically.
CLT is the second largest hub for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company, accounting for about 90% of the flights out of Charlotte Douglas. It is also the sixth busiest airport for takeoffs and landings. The Charlotte airport had 596,583 flights last year — an 11% increase from 2023, when the airport ranked seventh internationally.
'Our hub operation positions North Carolina at the center of the world for tourism, events and business development,' Ralph Lopez Massas, senior vice president of CLT Hub Operations, said in a news release, 'and those benefits extend far beyond the airline and deep into the communities we serve.'
The study also highlighted several key findings:
American's hub in Charlotte supports close to 150,000 jobs in the state, according to the study.
The airline has grown its workforce by more than 25% at CLT since 2020.
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CLT's hub for American supports more than 2.75% of the state's employment and 2.5% of the economic output.
American also employs 1,400 workers in the state at two reservation calls centers and operates a flight training center, maintenance operation and crew member bases.
The relocation of PSA Airlines' headquarters from Dayton, Ohio, to Charlotte will also have an impact, researchers said.
The regional carrier owned by American Airlines is linked to nearly $230 million in economic impact. The 400 jobs transferred to North Carolina are anticipated to create an additional 470 jobs among suppliers and other state businesses.
PSA's move is expected to provide $10 million each year in state and local tax revenue, according to the study.
American and its associated carriers operate more than 670 peak-daily departures at Charlotte Douglas and 810 daily departures statewide. The airline serves more than 170 destinations from CLT, which includes 41 international destinations.
American served 50 million customers last year at CLT and 70% of them were connecting to other planes at the airport.
American has invested $3 billion towards infrastructure projects at CLT, according to the company.
This includes a terminal lobby expansion with a modernized ticket area, passenger screening checkpoints, and baggage check-ins.
Additionally, a fourth parallel runway is planned to be commissioned in 2027, which will enable American to handle more flights, meet future demand, and improve service for customers.
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