Why American continues to cut flights from CLT

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, September 2, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.

Today's Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by By George Communications, marking 10 years of expert storytelling and public relations strategy. Your message deserves a wider audience. Start with us, By George.

Hi readers, Lindsey here, officially welcoming you to the “-ber” months. When I graduated college four years ago, words like “credit,” “loans,” “401(k)” and even “bills” were suddenly supposed to be a part of my vernacular, and luckily my Google search bar didn’t judge. While those questions may look different for each generation — whether you’re just starting out, raising a family, buying a home or thinking about retirement — figuring out your finances can be overwhelming at any age.

That’s why, next month, The Charlotte Ledger and Dyer & Company are hosting a FREE event to help make sense of it all. Keep scrolling to learn more and to register. (I’ll certainly be there, hoping someone can explain how a mortgage works.)

by Tony Mecia

When American Airlines announced last week that it is resuming nonstop flights between Charlotte and Barcelona next summer, it described the move as yet another example of its expansion here.

The flight to Barcelona, which it previously operated until 2019, will give Charlotte nine European destinations on American in 2027 “as we continue to grow and invest in the future of Charlotte,” an airline executive said in a press release.

American and CLT have cultivated an image of a growing and bustling airport, one of the busiest in the world.

But the surprising reality is that American and most other airlines serving Charlotte have been pulling back on the number of flights and seats here for more than a year, a trend that has quietly continued through this spring, according to a Ledger analysis of federal transportation statistics. Charlotte is American’s only major hub to downsize during that period, as it has bulked up its operations in Chicago to compete with United Airlines there.

The Ledger’s analysis suggests that American’s expansion in Chicago is coming largely at the expense of Charlotte.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday night to support a request to reopen a jail in response to the rapid population growth at its uptown facility after Iryna’s Law passed late last year.

Sheriff Garry McFadden said at the meeting that 2,235 people were being held at Mecklenburg County’s Jail Central facility that day — the highest-ever recorded population for that facility in a single day. The center is supposed to hold a maximum of 1,791 people.

McFadden said he’s had so many conversations with concerned family members about whether or not their relative is sleeping on the floor that he’s put a stacker bunk — a portable bed platform on which a mattress is placed — in the lobby of his office so they can see what it looks like. The Sheriff’s Office has been using stacker bunks at Jail Central because of overcrowding.

Unsheltered homelessness — that is, the number of people sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, such as on park benches or in tents and cars — has more than doubled in Charlotte over the past five years, Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO of Roof Above, said at last week’s Charlotte Center City Partners board meeting.

About a quarter of unhoused individuals in Charlotte are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Mecklenburg County’s most recent point-in-time count in January found 499 people were experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the night of the count, among a total of 2,018 unhoused individuals.

“Everywhere in America, downtown areas have a unique expression of this,” Clasen-Kelly said. About 80% of the individuals that Roof Above works with have a mental health diagnosis, adding to the challenges.

Need more proof that North Carolina is becoming an engine of new jobs?

A new report shows that North Carolina has five of the nation’s top 11 counties for employment growth. 

Economist Mark Vitner of Piedmont Crescent Capital unearthed that tidbit inside new numbers released last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

He says the figures prove that North Carolina has been a job engine in the last year-plus. Unlike population and employment estimates, the latest figures are based on actual unemployment tax filings, which are more accurate.

In the 12 months ending in March, the data shows the following N.C. counties were toward the top in percentage job growth:

Some financial questions can be scary. Join The Charlotte Ledger and Dyer & Company this October for a free four-part financial education series covering the money questions that matter to Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers. 

Choose the event that fits your financial stage, or come to all four. Each event includes a live panel, audience Q&A, beer, wine and light refreshments. Attendees can also enjoy The Mint Museum for free after the event. 

Registration is required, but every event is FREE. 

👉 Choose your event and register now. 

Thank you to our banking partner Huntington Bank and supporting partners The Mint Museum and Caregiving Corner for helping make the series possible. 

Share this free resource with your kids, grandkids, friends and family! Have a question? Email Ava Mikeal at [email protected].

Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5: “Charlotte Soul Fest,” 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th St. Charlotte Soul Fest is where entertainment meets impact—bringing together music, arts, culture, health, education and opportunity in one unforgettable community celebration. Experience a full day of live music, cultural dance, incredible Black art, delicious food and family-friendly fun. Free.

SEPTEMBER 8: “Coffee with the Chamber,” 8:30-9:30 a.m., at Le Meridien & Sheraton Charlotte Complex, 555 S. McDowell St. Join the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce for an invigorating morning event that brings together coffee lovers and business professionals from across the Charlotte area. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned executive or just a morning person, this event is the perfect opportunity to brew new connections and spark innovative conversations. Registration required. Free for members. $5 for non-members. 

SEPTEMBER 24: “Inside the ACC: The Business Behind the Game,” 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at The Charlotte City Club, 121 West Trade St., 31st floor. Join the Charlotte Economics Club for “Inside the ACC: The Business Behind the Game,” featuring Anthony Macri, Chief Revenue Officer of the Atlantic Coast Conference. As the ACC’s first Chief Revenue Officer, Macri oversees revenue strategy across sponsorships, partnerships, licensing, ticketing, and new business initiatives.  $60 for members. $90 for nonmembers.

➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.