CONCORD — In a move officials are calling a “major breakthrough in regional transit,” Concord-Padgett Regional Airport has announced new direct flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The route, covering a distance of 24 miles, will operate twice daily and is expected to cut the average travel time from 42 minutes by car to 41 minutes by air.
“This is the future of transportation,” said one city spokesperson. “For far too long, residents have been forced to endure the hardship of driving to the airport. Light rail to CLT has been discussed for years, but this is faster, simpler, and involves more planes.”
Flights will be operated on a nine-seat turboprop plane. Tickets will start at $399 one-way, which officials described as “competitive with rideshare surge pricing.”
Passengers will deplane directly into CLT arrivals, where they will then wait an additional 40 minutes for pickup.
At press time, officials also confirmed ongoing plans to extend the light rail—not to CLT, but to Concord-Padgett, “to better connect passengers to the flights they’ll need to reach Charlotte Douglas.”
