Charlotte Douglas, Raleigh-Durham airports land $68 million in federal grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Nearly $70 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation are being used for improvements at the two busiest airports in the state, Sen. Thom Tillis announced Wednesday.

The $68 million in federal funds are headed to Charlotte Douglas International and Raleigh-Durham International airports. It comes from the Airport Improvement Program, which is partially funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), legislation that Tillis helped negotiate, write, and pass into law.   

At Charlotte Douglas, a $45 million grant will fund the expansion of the airport’s south apron, where aircraft are parked and serviced by an additional 414,000 square feet. At RDU, a $23 million grant will be used to shift the existing paved runway by 523 feet to bring it into compliance with current 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,” said Tillis. “As Charlotte and the Triangle continue to grow, it is vital that we invest in our public transportation and infrastructure, including our airports. I am proud to have worked alongside local leaders to secure this critical funding.” 

CLT is undergoing widespread changes, including construction of an expanded terminal and a fourth parallel runway, the latter of which acquired $290 million federal funds.

Tillis, a Huntersville resident, plans to step down from his position after 2026.