Asheville Regional Airport remains unaffected by Charlotte strike amid busy travel season

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The busy holiday travel weekend kicked off with a wrinkle for some North Carolina flyers after Charlotte Douglas International Airport workers went on strike in Charlotte.

The strike started on the morning of Monday, Nov. 25 with contract employees for American Airlines. These workers are protesting unfair labor practices and demanding higher wages.

“When we got in, the pilot came on and said to be prepared because there was a strike happening that started today,” said Hannah Price, a flyer trying to get to Asheville. “To my knowledge, it was people that [were] helping those who are handicapped and that clean the planes.’

So far, the effects of the strike have not been felt at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL).

CHARLOTTE AIRPORT WORKERS STRIKE OVER ‘POVERTY WAGES’ DURING BUSY THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WEEK

“We have not seen any impacts,” Tina Kinsey, AVL’s chief administrative officer, said Monday. “We’ve had on-time arrivals and departures all day.”

Despite the strike and Helene’s lingering impacts, Asheville Regional Airport is getting busier with Thanksgiving just days away.

“It’s going to be a pretty busy Thanksgiving travel week,” Kinsey said. “It’ll be comparable to 2022, which was a very busy year for us.”

However, the busiest is yet to come.

“This week, we will see the most travelers on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday,” Kinsey said. “Do not be fooled. Thanksgiving is a huge travel time, no matter where you live.”

Nationally, AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That is an increase of 2% compared to last year.

AAA FORECASTS RECORD THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WITH NEARLY 80 MILLION HITTING THE ROAD AND SKIES

In years past, Asheville Regional Airport had issues with parking during the winter holidays. In 2024, there should be room for everyone.

“During Thanksgiving, we will have enough parking for everyone,” Kinsey said. “The Shuttle Lot South, which is across from the Ag Center, added approximately 600 additional spaces. It really helped to alleviate some of the pressure on those parking numbers. [Passengers] can go to our website. On the home page, it shows the status of the main parking lots. At any time before you leave your house, you can look and see which lots have the most capacity for you to make your plane.”

As usual, passengers are encouraged to arrive at the terminal two hours before their boarding time and keep track of their flight status online.