Charlotte Douglas International Airport seeks 4th runway

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Charlotte Douglas International Airport is planning to add a fourth runway to accommodate expected growth in demand for flights.

The Charlotte Observer reported that the expansion plans were presented to Charlotte City Council earlier this week.

A new parallel runway would allow more simultaneous takeoffs and landings.

The plan would increase the number of passenger gates from 93 to 164. Charlotte Douglas plans to begin construction soon on 8 to 12 new gates in an area where rental cars are currently located. The rental cars are moving to the new hourly parking deck this spring.

The projected cost of a fourth parallel runway is around $93 million.

The third runway opened in 2010.