Charlotte City Council approves 10.5-year American Airlines lease at airport

Charlotte City Council approved a new lease agreement with American Airlines for Charlotte Douglas International Airport by an 8-2 vote, WBTV reported. The lease has a base term of 10.5 years with an option to extend for an additional five years.

The agreement is expected to support over $2 billion in airport improvements and maintain American Airlines' presence at the airport for at least a decade, according to WBTV. This long-term deal is seen as vital to sustaining Charlotte's economic growth and job creation.

Councilmembers supporting the lease highlighted the airport's role as a key economic driver, with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance noting it generates $40 billion annually and supports 185,000 jobs. Leaders from various sectors including healthcare, banking, and technology expressed backing for the agreement.

Opposition came from two councilmembers who voted against the lease. One expressed a desire to use the airport lease as leverage to encourage competition and lower flight prices for Charlotte residents, while the other declined to support the agreement without further changes.

The vote follows earlier reporting from WSOC-TV that the council would decide on the lease, which could enable a $2.1 billion airport expansion plan over the next decade.