Here's some info on the hub & spoke system: https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50066526/airline-hub-guide-which-u-s-cities-are-major-hubs-and-why-it-matters/

Here's some info on the hub & spoke system: https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50066526/airline-hub-guide-which-u-s-cities-are-major-hubs-and-why-it-matters/ https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50066526/airline-hub-gu... And Charlotte in particular: https://www.wfae.org/local-news/2020-01-14/faq-city-why-do-flights-out-of-charlotte-cost-so-much https://www.wfae.org/local-news/2020-01-14/faq-city-why-do-f... > So, you're probably wondering, why does American control most of the flights here? It's because Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an American hub. The airline has 90% percent of the nearly 700 daily flights here. That lets it set whatever price it wants, says Ted Reed of Charlotte, who covers airlines for Forbes. > The answer is pretty simple: We're basically a one-airline town. There's little competition for American Airlines, says Scott Mayerowitz , the executive news director thepointsguy.com, a website that tracks the cost of flying. > "It is pure supply and demand." > "Well, I don't want to minimize the fact that this is a monopoly carrier … basically a monopoly company providing service," says Reed. "So of course, they're going to charge more. But a lot of people think the the trade-off is worth it and you know, and that's why you see the companies move here, a lot of companies move here because of the service." > "People always say to me: Fares are too high and the airlines are horrible. But yet the parking lot at the airport is always full." Wether 90% (or X%) market share qualifies as a monopoly is an age-old debate.