Even At $220 Million, It's A Bargain

As the possibility of losing its hub status looms should the US Airways/Delta merger come through, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport is looking to the future. On Monday, the airport received $124 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to help fund a new runway at the North Carolina facility.

The Charlotte Observer reports CLT officials plan to begin construction on the airport's third parallel runway in March 2007. The 9,000-foot runway, slated to open by February 2010,  will allow simultaneous approaches for three aircraft, even during bad weather.

About $80 million of the money is specifically for the runway, according to Charlotte/Douglas aviation director Jerry Orr. The remainder of the funds come from existing grants the airport was scheduled to receive anyway.

Total cost of the runway project is expected to peak at $220 million, including the cost of relocating some roads around the airport. Charlotte/Douglas will make up the difference by collecting a $3 facility charge to departing passengers' tickets.

Unlike recent projects in Atlanta and St. Louis -- which each cost more than $1 billion -- the Charlotte addition should be a relatively uncomplicated affair... and something of a bargain.

"None of it is easy, but this is pretty straightforward," said Rusty Chapman, manager of the airports division for the southern region of the FAA.

As Aero-News reported recently, officials at CLT have a contingency plan should US Airways merge with Delta, and then close its Charlotte hub in favor of Delta's massive base in Atlanta, GA.

FMI: www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/Home.htm