List of airports in North Carolina facts for kids

Commercial airports in North Carolina

This page lists different types of airports in North Carolina, a state in the United States. You'll find information about airports used by the public, military airports, and some special private airports. We'll also look at airports that used to be open but are now closed.

Understanding Airports in North Carolina

Airports are super important places where airplanes take off and land. They help people travel, deliver goods, and even support military operations. In North Carolina, there are many different kinds of airports, each with a special job.

How Airports Are Classified

Airports are grouped into categories based on how busy they are and what kind of flights they handle. Here are the main types you'll find:

Commercial Service Airports

These are the biggest airports where you catch flights on major airlines. They handle lots of passengers and cargo every day. These airports are usually near large cities.

• Primary Airports: These are the busiest commercial airports. They are divided into different sizes based on how many people fly from them each year:

* Large Hub (P-L): Super busy airports with millions of passengers. * Medium Hub (P-M): Still very busy, but a bit smaller than large hubs. * Small Hub (P-S): Handle a good number of passengers, but fewer than medium hubs. * Non-Hub (P-N): Smaller commercial airports that still have regular airline flights.

Reliever Airports

These airports are often found near big cities. They help "relieve" or take some of the air traffic away from the super busy commercial airports. They usually handle smaller planes, like private jets or corporate planes, instead of big passenger airliners.

General Aviation Airports

These airports are for smaller, private planes, flight training, and business travel. They don't usually have regular airline flights. They are important for local businesses and people who fly for fun.

Military Airports

These airports are used by the U.S. military for training, transporting troops, and housing military aircraft. They are very important for national defense.

Other Public-Use Airports

These are smaller airports that are open to the public but might not be as busy or have as many services as general aviation airports.

Notable Private-Use Airports

These airports are owned by individuals or companies and are not usually open to the public. Sometimes, they are listed if they were once public or have a special history.

Notable Former Airports

These are airports that used to be open but are now closed. They might have been important in the past.

Key Airport Terms Explained

When you look at airport information, you might see some codes and numbers. Here's what they mean:

• FAA: This stands for the Federal Aviation Administration. They are the main government group that oversees flying in the U.S. They give airports a special code.
• IATA: This is the International Air Transport Association. They give a three-letter code to airports that handle commercial flights. You usually see this code on your airline ticket (like CLT for Charlotte).
• ICAO: This is the International Civil Aviation Organization. They give a four-letter code that is used worldwide for air traffic control.
• Enplanements: This is a fancy word for the number of passengers who get on a plane at an airport. It helps show how busy an airport is.

Major Airports in North Carolina

Here are some of the busiest and most important airports in North Carolina, where many people start their air journeys.

Other Important Airports

Reliever Airports in North Carolina

These airports help reduce traffic at the larger commercial airports. They are often used by private and corporate planes.

Military Airports in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to several important military airfields that support the U.S. Armed Forces.

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  Commercial airports in North Carolina

See also

• North Carolina World War II Army Airfields