List of Airports in North Carolina
As of 2024, there are 32 airports throughout the state of North Carolina according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in North Carolina are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in North Carolina
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
| 1 | Albert J Ellis Airport | OAJ | Jacksonville, NC | Medium |
| 2 | Asheville Regional Airport | AVL | Asheville, NC | Medium |
| 3 | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | CLT | Charlotte, NC | Huge |
| 4 | Dare County Regional Airport | MEO | Manteo, NC | Medium |
| 5 | Elizabeth City Airport | ECG | Elizabeth City, NC | Medium |
| 6 | First Flight Airport | FFA | Kill Devil Hills, NC | Medium |
| 7 | Franklin Airport | LFN | Louisburg, NC | Medium |
| 8 | Halifax County Airport | RZZ | Roanoke Rapids, NC | Small |
| 9 | Hatteras Airport | HNC | Hatteras, NC | Small |
| 10 | Hickory Airport | HKY | Hickory, NC | Medium |
| 11 | Kinston Regional Jetport | ISO | Kinston, NC | Medium |
| 12 | Lenoir Airport | MRN | Morganton, NC | Small |
| 13 | Lumberton Airport | LBT | Lumberton, NC | Small |
| 14 | Maxton Airport | MXE | Maxton, NC | Small |
| 15 | Municipal Airport | EDE | Edenton, NC | Small |
| 16 | Municipal Airport | FAY | Fayetteville, NC | Medium |
| 17 | Municipal Airport | SVH | Statesville, NC | Small |
| 18 | New Bern/Craven County Regional Airport | EWN | New Bern, NC | Medium |
| 19 | Piedmont Triad International Airport | GSO | High Point, NC | Large |
| 20 | Pine Island Airport | DUF | Duck, NC | Small |
| 21 | Pinehurst-S. Pines Airport | SOP | Southern Pines, NC | Small |
| 22 | Pitt-Greenville Airport | PGV | Greenville, NC | Medium |
| 23 | Quincy Airport | MQI | Quincy, NC | Medium |
| 24 | Raleigh/Durham Airport | RDU | Raleigh, NC | Large |
| 25 | Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport | RWI | Rocky Mount, NC | Small |
| 26 | Rowan County Airport | SRW | Salisbury, NC | Small |
| 27 | Sampson County Airport | CTZ | Clinton, NC | Small |
| 28 | Smith-Reynolds Airport | INT | Winston Salem, NC | Medium |
| 29 | Warren Field | OCW | Washington, NC | Small |
| 30 | Wilgrove Air Park | QWG | Charlotte, NC | Small |
| 31 | Wilkes County Airport | IKB | Wilkesboro, NC | Small |
| 32 | Wilmington International Airport | ILM | Wilmington, NC | Medium |
Major Airports in North Carolina
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Airport Code:
CLT
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208
Nearby Cities:
- Charlotte (6 miles)
- Concord (13 miles)
- Gastonia (20 miles)
- Huntersville (15 miles)
- Rock Hill, SC (17 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 50 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the primary airport serving the Charlotte metropolitan area, one of the largest cities in North Carolina. Located just 6 miles west of downtown Charlotte, CLT opened in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and was later renamed in 1982 in honor of aviation pioneer Col. William H. Douglas. The airport has grown into one of the busiest airports in the United States and a major hub for American Airlines, which has its second-largest hub at CLT.
The airport serves as an essential gateway for both domestic and international flights, offering numerous connections to cities across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Charlotte’s thriving financial services sector, coupled with its strategic location in the southeastern U.S., has made CLT a vital hub for business and leisure travel. The airport also benefits from its proximity to the Charlotte region’s cultural, entertainment, and sports venues, such as the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bank of America Stadium.
Over the years, CLT has undergone multiple expansions, including the construction of new terminals, concourses, and runways. These upgrades have allowed the airport to handle the increasing number of passengers and flights, positioning it as a critical hub for air travel in the southeastern United States.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has four runways: Runway 18/36 (10,000 feet), Runway 18C/36C (9,000 feet), Runway 18L/36R (10,000 feet), and Runway 9/27 (8,000 feet). These runways are capable of handling large wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, making CLT well-equipped to manage both domestic and international long-haul flights.
The airport features two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and multiple concourses, offering a wide variety of services including restaurants, duty-free shopping, and lounges. CLT also provides several parking options, such as short-term, long-term, and economy parking, as well as rental car services. Additionally, the airport is connected to downtown Charlotte via a 24-hour shuttle service, making it easily accessible for travelers. With ongoing expansion and modernization projects, CLT continues to meet the demands of a growing number of passengers.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Airport Code:
RDU
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
2400 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560
Nearby Cities:
- Raleigh (10 miles)
- Durham (13 miles)
- Chapel Hill (15 miles)
- Cary (5 miles)
- Wake Forest (18 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 12 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) serves the Triangle region of North Carolina, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Located between Raleigh and Durham, about 10 miles from downtown Raleigh, RDU opened in 1929 as a small regional airport. Over the years, it has grown to become one of the busiest airports in the southeastern United States, catering to both domestic and international passengers.
RDU is strategically located in the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, a region known for its universities, research institutions, and high-tech industries. The airport plays a crucial role in supporting business and academic travel, as well as tourism, particularly to attractions like the North Carolina Museum of Art and Duke University. The airport serves as a hub for flights to major cities across the U.S. and offers international flights to destinations in Europe and beyond.
RDU has undergone significant expansions and renovations to improve passenger experience, including the construction of new terminals, upgrades to runways, and the addition of enhanced security and baggage handling systems. The airport’s modern facilities continue to serve the growing demand for air travel in the region.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has three runways: Runway 5/23 (10,000 feet), Runway 14/32 (10,000 feet), and Runway 2/20 (7,000 feet). These runways are capable of accommodating a wide range of aircraft, including large narrow-body jets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. However, while RDU can handle wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747, it is not a major hub for these aircraft.
RDU’s terminal complex includes two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2), offering a variety of passenger services, including dining, shopping, lounges, and free Wi-Fi. The airport also provides short-term and long-term parking options, as well as rental car services. RDU is well-connected to the Triangle region by shuttles, taxis, and public transportation, making it easy for travelers to reach their destinations.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Airport Code:
CLT
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208
Nearby Cities:
- Charlotte (6 miles)
- Concord (13 miles)
- Gastonia (20 miles)
- Huntersville (15 miles)
- Rock Hill, SC (17 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 50 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the primary airport serving the Charlotte metropolitan area, one of the largest cities in North Carolina. Located just 6 miles west of downtown Charlotte, CLT opened in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and was later renamed in 1982 in honor of aviation pioneer Col. William H. Douglas. The airport has grown into one of the busiest airports in the United States and a major hub for American Airlines, which has its second-largest hub at CLT.
The airport serves as an essential gateway for both domestic and international flights, offering numerous connections to cities across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Charlotte’s thriving financial services sector, coupled with its strategic location in the southeastern U.S., has made CLT a vital hub for business and leisure travel. The airport also benefits from its proximity to the Charlotte region’s cultural, entertainment, and sports venues, such as the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bank of America Stadium.
Over the years, CLT has undergone multiple expansions, including the construction of new terminals, concourses, and runways. These upgrades have allowed the airport to handle the increasing number of passengers and flights, positioning it as a critical hub for air travel in the southeastern United States.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has four runways: Runway 18/36 (10,000 feet), Runway 18C/36C (9,000 feet), Runway 18L/36R (10,000 feet), and Runway 9/27 (8,000 feet). These runways are capable of handling large wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, making CLT well-equipped to manage both domestic and international long-haul flights.
The airport features two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and multiple concourses, offering a wide variety of services including restaurants, duty-free shopping, and lounges. CLT also provides several parking options, such as short-term, long-term, and economy parking, as well as rental car services. Additionally, the airport is connected to downtown Charlotte via a 24-hour shuttle service, making it easily accessible for travelers. With ongoing expansion and modernization projects, CLT continues to meet the demands of a growing number of passengers.
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
Airport Code:
ILM
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
1740 Airport Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28405
Nearby Cities:
- Wilmington (5 miles)
- Carolina Beach (10 miles)
- Hampstead (20 miles)
- Leland (10 miles)
- Southport (25 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 600,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) serves the coastal city of Wilmington and the surrounding Cape Fear region. Located 5 miles from downtown Wilmington, ILM opened in 1928 as Wilmington Municipal Airport and has since grown to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The airport is especially important for the region’s tourism industry, offering easy access to popular destinations like Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington.
ILM has seen steady growth over the years, with airlines offering service to major hubs such as Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The airport is key to both domestic and international tourism, providing flights to and from destinations like Florida, New York, and Chicago. It also serves the local economy, with businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, and education benefiting from the airport’s connectivity.
In recent years, ILM has undergone several upgrades, including terminal renovations and improvements to its baggage handling and security systems. The airport’s continued investment in infrastructure has made it a competitive regional airport that can handle increased passenger demand.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Wilmington International Airport has one runway: Runway 6/24, which is 7,000 feet long. This runway is capable of handling regional jets and narrow-body aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. While ILM does not regularly accommodate wide-body aircraft, it is well-equipped to handle the typical flights it receives.
The terminal at ILM includes a variety of services, such as dining options, shops, and free Wi-Fi. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking, as well as rental car services. Additionally, the airport is well-connected to Wilmington and surrounding areas through shuttle services, taxis, and public transportation, making it easy for passengers to reach the city and nearby beaches.
North Carolina Overview
The state of North Carolina is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. It has 10 million residents (2016). The capital is Raleigh.
In the 16th century, at the time of the arrival of the first European explorers, the dominant indigenous groups in the area were the Tuscaroras, Catawbas and Cherokees.
North Carolina was the land of the lost colony, the first English colony founded in the United States, after failed attempts between 1578 and 1583. Further attempts were made by Sir Walter Raleigh, starting in 1584. In 1587, he founded a colony on Roanoke Island and called it Virginia. Upon returning in 1590, Raleigh no longer found his colony and it is not known what happened.
The first lasting English colony, in the USA, was founded in the present state of Virginia, in 1607. From there, settlers came to the Albemarle Sound area in the 1650s. Carolina was created in 1663 and divided in two in the 18th century. In 1776, during the US War of Independence, North Carolina established its first state constitution. In the Civil War (1861-1865) he fought for the Union, unlike South Carolina, which joined the Confederate slavery.
