People mover proposed at Charlotte Airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Douglas International Airport is exploring building a “people mover” to connect light rail to the airport.

Airport leaders released designs last week to add a Silver Line light rail stop on Wilkinson Boulevard. People traveling to the airport would need to ride the light rail to the Wilkinson Boulevard stop and then transfer to the people mover for a one-mile ride to the airport. The ride would take about seven minutes.

“I think it’d be super convenient.,” Jonathan Polburn said. 

“I think it’s great,” Tate Hadachek said. “I never go to the airport and park there.”

Airport officials said the people mover could be similar to a self-driving bus, train or cable liner.  It would make several stops at airport parking lots and a rental car center.

“A lot of other cities have different public transport options to the airport,” Hadachek said. “This will be a good one that I think a lot of people would take advantage of.”

Charlotte residents have asked the city to expand light rail service to the airport for years. Currently, people can only travel there by car or bus. However, during their presentation, airport officials said extending the light rail directly to the airport is not realistic because there would be construction challenges and it could interfere with the airport building more terminals in the future. They said building the people mover would be the best option to link transit to the airport.

“I think people understand that it might take some extra time, but if it’s a cheaper option than Uber or parking, they’ll probably take advantage of it,” Hadachek said.

“I’m at the airport at least once a month so being able to get out of my office and hop on the train would be so convenient,” Polburn said.

According to the airport’s plans, construction on the people mover could begin in 2030. However, CATS told Spectrum News 1 a date has not been set for construction to begin on the Silver Line.

Airport officials estimate the number of local passengers who fly out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport will increase from 19.3 million passengers in 2025 to 35.7 million passengers in 2050.

Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.