It was stated early in the year that parking garages were to be built on the rental car field. The new gates on the E-Con will accomodate RJs, not wide body aircraft, possibly 737s...otherwise that will give Express 50 gates on E-Con. This will free up a number of C-Con mainline gates which have been used for the CR9s.
There is obviously something going on. UA has made it clear that they are looking for a southern hub to handle the Latin/South American market. US has applied for Colombia. Now that Delta has partnered up with AF to get LHR slots it would only make sense that US and UA would join forces and partner up with a Star Alliance carrier to assure itself a place in this new "Open Skys" era of the industry. It's no secret that the US Airways name (in public opinion polls) is mud. The name has gotta go. By teaming up with another carrier, taking its name (possibly a new name althogether), replacing current US executives with those of the new airline, we may acutally stand a chance.
It has been rumored in CLT that approx 10-15 of the E-con gates are designed to hold 737s for WN. The CEO of WN was in CLT 18 months ago and met with the airport commission and city and county leaders. Now, CLT is getting a third paralell runway and 25 extra gates. I don't believe that we will truly know whats going on until it happens.
There is nothing that points to CLT becomming another PIT. Way to much O&D traffic. Approx 12,000-14,000 local paxs average checking in everyday. Donald Trump, for example, is building a sky scraper and business complex in downtown CLT, there is constant construction all around the city because the need is there. It is one of the only markets in America where the property rates are still soring sky high. The Queen City and its bedroom communities are growing so fast that some of the school systems are refusing new students due to overcrowding. No, CLT is not PIT. Local traffic if up 46% since 2002. I hate what has happened to the folks in PIT, but there is no comparrison.
