THE LATEST stage of Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s transformation has opened for business. The terminal expansion provides approximately 90,000sq ft of additional circulation space and access to the west subterranean walkway, a traffic-free, covered walking path from the Hourly Deck to the terminal. It is the first Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) phase to be ready for passenger use at the North Carolina gateway. It boasts large picture windows, bright blue tiles framing the entrances/exits and architecturaldetailed scalloped ceilings.
The TLE is part of Destination CLT, a $3.1bn capital investment programme that includes concourse renovations and expansion of the airport’s roadways, curb front, airfield and terminal. When the west side comes online, Door 2 in the new space will open to passengers on the arrivals/ baggage claim level, and Doors 1 and 2 will be accessible on the departures/ ticketing level. When passengers enter on either the terminal’s upper or lower levels, ticket counters, security checkpoints and luggage carousels will not be immediately visible, therefore signage has been installed to point customers in the right direction. Airport employees will be stationed in arrivals/baggage claim and departures/ticketing to assist travellers with wayfinding.