Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and TSA officials have announced plans to open the new security Checkpoint 1 located at the west end of CLT’s new terminal lobby, which will offer eight screening lanes for departing passengers.
The opening of Checkpoint 1 slated for Sunday, November 5, and will bring the number of security screening lanes to a maximum of 21. A four-lane “C” checkpoint will continue to operate for TSA pre-check screening.
“We are thrilled to begin conducting security screening operations in Checkpoint 1. This new space provides TSA officers more room to carry-out their security duties and the opportunity to work seamlessly and collaboratively across all eight lanes to best serve the traveling public,” said TSA Federal Security Director at CLT Beth Walker. “Thank you to the airport authority for investing in this new checkpoint that will help TSA deliver the highest level of security screening in the most efficient manner.”
CLT’s Chief Operating Officer Jerome Woodard said: “The opening of Checkpoint 1 is a monumental achievement for the airport and will greatly enhance our ability to service the growing passenger traffic at CLT. The technology enhancements will provide for greater throughput in passenger screening, which allows for a more efficient checkpoint operation.”
He added: “Passengers can look forward to an improved screening experience due to the open design of the checkpoint, which incorporates some of the industry’s best practices in checkpoint design.”
Checkpoint 1 construction began in March 2023 as part of a $600 million Terminal Lobby Expansion project that started in 2019 to increase the current terminal lobby space by 175,000 square feet and renovate another 191,000 square feet.
The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
The new checkpoint features a brighter and more open security space, an expanded queuing area for travelers entering the checkpoint, along with 16 travel document checking podiums.
Though passengers will see familiar security and screening technologies, Checkpoint 1 will showcase additional screening features.
Bins are 25 percent larger and contain Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for additional property accountability. The checkpoint will also offer four body scanners as well as four walk-through metal detectors. And a liquid explosive detection system uses lasers to screen liquids and gels without having to open the container.
In the first nine months of 2023, TSA at CLT screened more than 8.1 million departing travelers, marking an 18 percent increase over the same period in 2022, and a 12 percent rise over pre-pandemic volumes.
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