Master Plan Update for 2026
The City of Concord is updating the Airport Master Plan for Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (JQF). The Master Plan sets a long-term vision for the Airport and will guide aviation development, infrastructure investment, and economic growth over the next 20 years. The work also includes an updated FAA Airport Layout Plan (ALP), the official drawing set that shows current and planned airport facilities.
The City selected Talbert, Bright & Ellington (TBE) to lead the project. The project kicked off in January 2026 and is expected to take 18 to 24 months, not including FAA review periods. The current 2019 Master Plan, linked below, remains the Airport's guiding document until the update is complete and accepted by the FAA.
A Vision for the Airport's Future
On April 13, 2026, the Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee held its kickoff and visioning meeting. Airport leadership, aviation professionals, community representatives, and other stakeholders discussed the Airport's future role, opportunities, challenges, and development priorities.
The vision that emerged was clear: plan for growth across all aviation sectors while remaining flexible, realistic, financially responsible, and aligned with the community.
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is a major economic asset for Concord, Cabarrus County, and the Charlotte region. It generates more than $1.1 billion in annual economic output and supports more than 5,300 jobs. The Airport serves a wide range of users, including commercial airline service, corporate and general aviation, flight training, and aircraft maintenance. Stakeholders strongly supported keeping that mix as the Airport grows.
Opportunities Being Evaluated
- Development of approximately 130 acres on the Airport's east side
- Future commercial terminal development
- Expanded aircraft and automobile parking
- Additional hangar development and aircraft maintenance facilities
- Expanded airline service and destinations
- Workforce development for pilots, mechanics, and other aviation professionals
- Advanced air mobility, including electric aircraft, air taxis, and drone logistics
- Continued support for corporate and general aviation
Challenges the Plan Will Address
The Master Plan will evaluate limited developable land, parking constraints, hangar demand, fuel storage capacity, staffing, road access to the east side of the Airport, environmental considerations, airfield infrastructure, and the availability of federal, state, and local funding. Improvements will be phased as demand and funding allow. Development alternatives will be designed to stay flexible as aviation technology, passenger demand, and funding programs change.
What the Master Plan Includes
- Inventory of existing airport facilities and conditions
- 20-year aviation activity forecasts, subject to FAA approval
- Facility requirements for the airfield, terminal, parking, hangars, and support facilities
- Development alternatives and a recommended plan
- Environmental overview
- Updated Airport Layout Plan drawing set
- Capital improvement and financial plan
- Pavement management, building condition assessment, and stormwater management plans
- Helicopter operations, local land use and zoning, and instrument approach and obstruction analysis
Current Status (updated September 2026)
- Complete or nearly complete: Inventory of existing conditions and draft aviation forecasts. The forecasts will be submitted to the FAA for review and approval.
- Underway: Pavement condition assessments, building condition assessments, stormwater management planning, helicopter operations analysis, land use and zoning coordination, and instrument approach review.
- Next: After the FAA approves the forecasts, the team will identify facility needs and develop development alternatives for public review.
Get Involved
Community input is an important part of this plan. Public information meetings will be held during the project, including one when development alternatives are presented. Meeting dates, locations, and project materials will be posted on this page and on the Airport's social media channels as they are scheduled.
Questions or comments about the Master Plan can be submitted through the Airport's Feedback Form.
Existing Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
The Concord-Padgett Regional Airport's airport layout plan (ALP) is an official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved blueprint of an airport's current and future facilities. It is a set of scale drawings that guides long-term development to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with federal standards.
An ALP is a living document, typically developed as part of an airport master plan, and is required for airports to receive federal grant funding. The ALP was recently updated in 2024.
Airport Layout Plan - JQF
Current Airport Master Plan (2019)
The 2019 Airport Master Plan was approved by the FAA and remains the Airport's guiding document for development until the current update is complete.
Cover
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Existing Conditions
Chapter 3 - Aviation Forecasts
Chapter 4 - Facility Requirements
Chapter 5 - Alternatives Development and Evaluation
Chapter 6 - Environmental Considerations
Chapter 7 - Airport Layout Plans
Chapter 8 - Capital Imrpovement Plans
Chapter 9 - Airport Recycling, Reuse, and Waste Reduction Plan
Chapter 10 - Public Involvement
Appendix A - Existing Buildings Inventory
Appendix B - Airport Pavement Management System Update
Appendix C - RSA Determination (2018)
Appendix D - Hangar Develpment Analysis
Appendix E - ATCT Site Selection Study
Appendix F - Preliminary Engineer's Opinion of Probable Cost
Appendix G - Meeting Minutes and Comments Received