U.S. Aviation System Experiences Record Passenger Numbers

Why it matters locally: North Carolina's major airports, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), are likely experiencing increased passenger volumes and operational challenges as part of this national trend.

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U.S. airports and airlines are observing a record-setting summer travel period. Airlines are accommodating the largest volume of passengers in their history. This occurs while the total number of flights operated by these same airlines has decreased compared to levels seen two decades ago. This combination of increased passenger traffic and a reduced number of flights places increased demands on the U.S. aviation system.