CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As some are counting down the days towards Thanksgiving Day, others are bracing for the travel.
Heavy traffic is expected on roadways, and plenty of people are bracing to face long lines at the airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport isn't leaving anything to chance. Over 1 million passengers are expected to travel through Charlotte's airport between Thursday, Nov. 21, and Monday, Dec. 2. Travelers can expect to see some changes at the airport this year to anticipate the influx, all with the goal to help travelers and keep them safe.
Airport officials announced some major changes, including:
- Adding shuttle bus lanes
- More staff on hand
- A skybridge to improve passenger safety
- More gates being used
"We are much more in a much better position and place to manage that traffic,” Jerome Woodard with CLT said.
Changes at the airport are nothing new for Paul Jurovaty. He constantly travels through Charlotte.
"It's a different experience," Jurovaty said. "Every time I get here, it's something's changed.”
Avoiding airport traffic is a big win for travelers like Thomas Gibson. who traveled hours just to make it to the airport.
"It's nice not to stress about, like, trying to get home, especially by myself," Gibson said.
Jurovaty admitted it may be too soon to call it a success.
“I don't think we're at that point where we're feeling the relief, because I think we're still in kind of the build the infrastructure state," Jurovaty said.
He is looking forward to seeing the final product and its impact for travelers.
“It's one of the fastest growing airports in the country, and I feel like, finally, we're at a point where we're kind of presenting ourselves that way, right?" Jurovaty added. "It's really turning into a really nice airport."
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.