I’ve been on more airplanes this year than I can count on both hands and treat frequent flyer miles like currency. I’ve learned life lessons in airports like, be nice to people in stressful situations so that when your flight is cancelled they’ll give you free hotel rooms and meal vouchers.
Charlotte Douglas International wasn’t the only reason I moved to Charlotte, but its rocking chairs, manicure shops and trendy bars were certainly a site for my sore, jet-lagged eyes on my first visit.
And apparently it contributes greatly to the state’s economy.
Douglas International contributes about $12.5 billion of the $26 billion the 72 publicly owned airports in North Carolina contribute to the state’s economy, according to a recent study conducted by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation. The second-largest, Raleigh-Durham International, contributes about $7.8 billion.
Find the report here. (And find out why you should consider checking your bag here.)
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2012.
Its a shame that Southwest bought Airtran. I used to get flights so cheap out of CLT. Now I drive to Asheville or rent a car to Asheville because I save about $200 per flight.
Well duh.
Of course a large international airport is an economic engine. I use to fly a lot, but no more. I refuse to submit to the Gestapo tactics required to get near an airplane. It is disgusting and unamerican to treat everyone like a criminal because somewhere, sometime, there is a slight chance that there will be one among them.
Wow, a study by “N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation” says airports provide “economic impact”. I’ll bet the NC Department of Agriculture’s Division of Tobacco says smoking is good for you.
Congrats Ana, you’ve taken over from Rhiannon as CL’s “cut, paste, but don’t ever ever think” Queen.