Local business leaders voice their support for new airport lease

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A group of local business leaders came together Thursday to voice support for the signing of a new airport lease. A vote on a new 10-year agreement between the city and the airlines is scheduled for Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Business leaders say it’s critical to come to a deal in order to keep Charlotte’s status as an American Airlines hub and maintain the annual $40 billion economic impact the airport delivers to the area. But a union representing workers contracted to do jobs like pushing wheelchairs and cleaning planes wants more protections and better pay for workers.

Business leaders argue these are separate issues and that the lease signing doesn’t involve negotiating wages or protections. Vinay Patel of SREE Hotels says, “There is a lease agreement that needs to get done and if there are other things that need to happen, they cannot be part of this. This is about the airport and the facility. And if there are things that need to happen, we need to talk about it separately and get to a point where everybody is comfortable. But making that part of the lease, I think, is the wrong way to go.”

If a deal is reached, the city will provide $2.1 billion in airport upgrades that would include new gates and a tunnel. The airlines would pay more in rent and fees.