What’s measured This indicator gauges the number of passengers boarding planes (“enplanements”) and disembarking from planes (“deplanements”) at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Passengers making connecting flights at Charlotte/Douglas are included in these figures. Data were obtained from Charlotte/Douglas Aviation Activity Reports produced annually by the City of Charlotte for 2000 through 2006. The annual percentage change in enplanements and deplanements is also measured. Why it’s measured Passenger travel at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport provides a measure of the region’s capacity to serve the increasing air-travel market. The airport also plays a significant role in connecting people to the region and in linking regional residents to the rest of the world. Indicator results Passenger enplanements and deplanements track each other very closely: in 2006, enplanements were 14,828,149 and deplanements were 14,865,800. Both figures represent a 5.3% increase over the prior year (over 740,000 more passengers were accounted for in each of enplanements and deplanements). Passenger enplanements and deplanements have risen since 2000, with a slight decline from 2002 to 2003. Despite the terrorist attacks on 9/11, passenger enplanements and deplanements increased each year from 2000 to 2002. Enplanements and deplanements were at their lowest point of the six-year time period in 2003: 11,511,465 enplanements and 11,551,105 deplanements. Both passenger enplanements and deplanements grew by more than 300,000 between 2003 and 2006. The largest gains came in 2004 and 2005: enplanements and deplanements each increased 9.1% in 2004 and 12.1% in 2005. Evaluation Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has an important and ever-increasing role in regional development. As the largest airport in the Carolinas, Charlotte/Douglas continually serves a greater number of people from across the region and beyond by providing a hub of air travel used by a multitude of leisure and business travelers. Increases in passenger enplanements and deplanements show that the importance of Charlotte/Douglas continues to increase. The growth of the airport also ties to the growth of the region with regard to economic competitiveness. One caveat: A large portion of the enplanements and deplanements are transfers due to Charlotte’s role as a major hub for US Airways. Therefore the link with economic development is somewhat less than implied by the numbers. Connections The growth of the airport is directly connected to the growth of the region. As the population continues to increase and more businesses locate and expand in the area, the airport continues to be a key element for regional success. The airport is a connection to cities around the country and world. To maintain the region’s attractiveness to business, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport must continue to be a top-tier, air-travel provider.
|