Concord jets.

AuthorLea, Amanda
PositionNC TREND: Charlotte Region

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

With the nation's fifth-busiest airport, Charlotte wouldn't seem to need more flight space. But Concord Regional Airport is accelerating its plan to offer an alternative, opening a $6.5 million, 25,000-square-foot terminal in October. It can handle about 30 scheduled flights a week, triple the current level, says director Richard Cloutier. A new 700-space parking deck also opened at the airport, which is just off Interstate 85, about 20 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

It's a big step for the Cabarrus County airport, which opened in 1994, mostly as a service to NASCAR teams that travel regularly to races across the U.S. The project drew opposition from some county residents who voiced concerns about increased noise and pollution.

Concord officials prevailed, benefiting from airport economics that can work well for local communities. The Federal Aviation Administration is paying 90% of the terminal's cost, with the city and state splitting the balance. The parking deck's $5.7 million cost will be recouped by hourly and daily fees ranging from 50 cents to $5.

The airport remains a favorite of the racing crowd, along with other local corporate fleets and individual pilots. But its growth hinges heavily on expansions by fast-growing Allegiant Air, the airport's only commercial airline service.

A subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., the airline has 10 weekly flights between Concord and four Florida destinations and recently added service to New Orleans. Concord Mayor J. Scott Padgett says passenger boardings are...

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