CHARLOTTE — A new study by North Carolina State University said the American Airlines hub in Charlotte generates more than $30 billion annually.
“Fueled by sustained growth over more than four decades, our commitment to Charlotte is unwavering and that strong foundation is only the beginning,” American’s Senior VP of CLT Operations Ralph Lopez Massas said in a news release. “Our hub operation positions North Carolina at the center of the world for tourism, events and business development and those benefits extend far beyond the airline and deep into the communities we serve.”
This comes as the airport and American Airlines negotiate over the airline’s lease, which expires next year.
According to American Airlines, of the 50 million passengers the airline served in Charlotte last year, 70% were passengers connecting through the airport.
“Put simply, the American hub at CLT contributes significantly to North Carolina’s economy,” Ryan Hassett, economist at ITRE, which completed the study, said. “It supports over 2.75% of the state’s employment and 2.5% of the state’s economic output, while providing substantial tax revenue to our state and local governments.”
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