International Airport Hub

In 1998, Atlanta was named the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. This soon solidified with the construction of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as Delta Air Service’s home base. With the entire complex measuring 4,700 acres and housing more than 200 concession outlets (food, beverages, retail, and convenience, and staffed service outlets), the Hartsfield airport has brought diversity throughout Atlanta. In 2000 the Atlanta City Council approved a capital improvement program for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, aimed at building and maintaining the facilities necessary to reduce flight delays and handle increased travel demand. In 2006 the fifth runway and a 400-foot air traffic control tower, the tallest in North America, as well as new baggage screening rooms, were completed as part of the program. In 2012 the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal opened with twelve new gates. Within the 4,700 acres of ground, Hartsfield contains five runways. The inner runways, closest to the terminals, are the longest. A single runway measures 12,390 feet (more than two miles) in length, and the other is 10,000 feet long. The remaining three are each 9,000 feet long. Because jets can be much heavier when they take off than when they land, the length of the inner runways must provide enough distance needed to accelerate safely to takeoff speed or to stop just before takeoff if something goes wrong. In an effort to attract more international flights, particularly to fast-growing economies including Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the airport this year launched its first-ever flight incentive program worth up to $2 million. "There is no greater opportunity to use the airport as a tool for job creation than air service development to those fast-growing international markets,” Hartsfield-Jackson general manager Miguel Southwell said.

Works Cited

Fletcher, R.  John. “Official Aviation Guide.” 1940. The Official Aviation Guide Co Inc. William B. Hartsfield collection, 1893-1981. MS 2303. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Pritchett, Amy R. "Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 19 June 2017. Web. 29 October 2018.