RALEIGH NC — Two of North Carolina’s major airports will receive significant federal funding to enhance safety measures and expand capacity, Senator Thom Tillis announced this week.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) will collectively receive $68 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Airport Improvement Program. The funding is made possible in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that Senator Tillis helped negotiate and pass.
The largest portion of the funding—$45 million—will go toward Charlotte Douglas International Airport to expand the facility’s south apron by 414,000 square feet. The apron expansion will provide additional space where aircraft are parked and serviced, addressing the growing demand at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport will receive $23 million to relocate its existing paved runway by 523 feet. The runway shift is necessary to bring the facility into compliance with current federal safety and design standards.
“Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh-Durham are two of North Carolina’s busiest airports, and these upgrades will ensure compliance with safety standards while helping both airports remain efficient and equipped to handle North Carolina’s growing travel demands,” Senator Tillis said in a statement. “As Charlotte and the Triangle continue to grow, it is vital that we invest in our public transportation and infrastructure, including our airports.”
The senator emphasized his role in securing the funding, noting his collaboration with local leaders throughout the process. “I am proud to have worked alongside local leaders to secure this critical funding,” Tillis added.
The Airport Improvement Program provides federal grants to public airports to help improve safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. The program receives partial funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package signed into law in 2021.
Both airports serve as major economic drivers for their respective regions, with Charlotte Douglas ranking among the top 10 busiest airports in the United States by passenger traffic and Raleigh-Durham serving as a key gateway to the Research Triangle area.
