The largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is located halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains. This Southern city, called the International Gateway to the South, is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. There are both international and regional airports near Charlotte, flying passengers around the Southeast, the United States, and the world.
First opened to the public in 1936, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport provides flight service to 135 domestic and international destinations. The only airport located in Charlotte, it was rated the 34th busiest airport in the U.S., based on the amount of passenger traffic as of 2010. One of the few U.S. airports that have a public viewing site that allows visitors to watch planes take off and land, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport also features more than 26,700 parking spaces in its main parking lots. The Aviation Museum, located on the airport's premises, was opened in 1992 and contains a collection of more than 50 small aircraft, including World War II fighter planes. The airport's only terminal measures more than 1.7 million square feet, and ground transportation is available at all hours from a variety of shuttle buses and taxis parked near the terminal.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28208
704-359-4910
charmeck.org
Located 17 miles west of Charlotte, Gastonia Municipal Airport is situated on 280 acres of land. Containing just one runway, Gastonia Municipal Airport was built by the city of Gastonia and opened in 1946. This airport serves privately owned, smaller aircraft, supplying owners with 30 hangars in which to store their aircraft. The airport supplies flight training and a wide range of small aircraft to people who are engaged in flight training to obtain their pilot's licenses. Operating hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
Gastonia Municipal Airport
1126 Gaston Day School Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
704-864-4363
gastoniaairport.com
Named after Robert E. Bryant, an international, record-holding pilot inducted into the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame, the Rock Hill-York County Airport/Bryant Field is situated 21 miles south of Charlotte. This airport's 7,200-square-foot terminal contains a bookstore, two conference rooms, and a pilots lounge. Owned and operated by the city of Rock Hill, this airport covers 401 acres and features a 5,500-foot-long runway that can support loads of up to 60,000 pounds.
Rock Hill-York County Airport/Bryant Field
155 Johnston Street
Rock Hill, SC 29731-1706
803-329-5560
ci.rock-hill.sc.us
