Flying High

World’s busiest airport continues to expand

By Judy Putnam

Every day nearly 250,000 passengers pass through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, making it the world’s busiest passenger airport, a distinction it has held for the past 10 years. Last year 980,000 flights carrying more than 89 million passengers passed through the airport, including flights from some 80 international destinations. Even as the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson earned another impressive honor as the most efficient airport among all major airports worldwide.

From an economic standpoint, the airport is a driving force for Georgia, generating $23.5 billion in revenue last year. In addition, it provides employment for 56,000 people whose jobs are directly related to the airport, and an additional 18,000 jobs from airport-related businesses.

With its six concourses, Atlanta has the largest airport terminal complex in the world. The airport has five runways, 151 domestic and 28 international gates and the tallest air traffic control tower in North America. At 398 feet, it’s the third tallest in the world.

Coupled with metro Atlanta’s population growth and its ever-increasing international influence, the airport continues to expand. In 2006 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport responded by opening a fifth runway. And in the spring of last year, an end-around taxiway—designed to improve arrival and departure times—opened.

The 41.7 million dollar end-around taxiway called Taxiway Victor is expected to improve capacity by reducing delays by 40 percent and increase departure capacity by 21 percent. It is the first of its kind in the nation, and only the second in the world.

The Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. International Terminal (MHJIT) is a new 12-gate terminal dubbed as “Atlanta’s global gateway to the world.” This $8.5 million project will provide international gates, plus additional domestic gates that are in high demand. The MHJIT will feature enhanced international passenger customer service, an additional Bureau of Customs and Border Protection facility, an in-line baggage screening system and a connection to the existing 28-gate international concourse for a total of 38 international gates. The terminal is slated to open in 2011.

These new additions are part of a $6.2 billion capital improvement plan. Other expansion plans include a new energy-efficient car rental facility due to open in December 2008 and improvements to the existing concourses and parking.

Click here for map of retail and food concessions in the airport terminals and concourses.

Click here for more information about the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.