Mayor Pro Tem: Why Charlotte should move forward on airport agreement | Opinion
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of our community’s greatest assets. It connects Charlotte to the world, supports jobs and economic growth across our region, and has helped make our city an attractive place to live, visit and do business. An asset that important deserves careful stewardship. Council members should ask hard questions about what Charlotte receives from a long-term agreement, how it protects the public interest and whether it positions our airport and our community for the future. After considering those questions, I believe the proposed Airline Use and Lease Agreement is good for Charlotte, and I support its approval. While I will not be able to attend the Council meeting when it comes up for a vote, I want my position to be clear. The agreement provides the framework for roughly $2 billion in investment at Charlotte Douglas. For travelers, that means real improvements: additional gates, a new passenger tunnel connecting the terminal with an expanded Concourse C to help reduce crowding and improve movement, renovations to our international arrivals facilities, and airfield improvements supporting greater safety, reliability and efficiency. It also lays the groundwork for Charlotte’s continued international growth, including additional international capacity. As our city becomes
