Hartsfi eld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is preparing for increased international traffi c by planning to add gates, open the international terminal and boost cargo capacity, among other projects, according to Robert Kennedy, the airport’s assistant general manager foroperations, maintenance and security.
“The airport will see approximately 86.4 million passengers this year, but it was originally built to handle only 55-60 million,” Kennedy was quoted as saying by the GlobalAtlanta news service. The $6 billion to $7 billion renovation is to include, among other improvements, expanding the main terminal by 150 feet to accommodate more passengers and services, Kennedy said.
Hartsfield-Jackson experienced 20 percent growth in international traffi c in 2006 compared to 2005 and anticipates 18 percent growth this year. Currently, airlines calling on Hartsfi eld-Jackson have connections to 51 countries, but by the time the international terminal is completed, which will be at least four years, 100 countries will be served, he added.
The schematic design for the international terminal is being completed, and Hartsfi eld-Jackson expects an estimate for its total cost by October or November, Kennedy told GlobalAtlanta.
As more international flights are added by Delta Air Lines and other carriers, cargo facilities will likely also need to expand, Kennedy said. Freight forwarders in the Atlanta area have expressed concern that the current cargo facilities are already insuffi cient to handle the continually increasing cargo volume coming through the airport.
While 190,000 tonnes of cargo was handled at the airport in 1996, some 300,000 tonnes is expected for 2007. Kennedy said Hartsfi eld-Jackson is working on plans for a fourth cargo building to be built, which could add eight cargo positions in 255,000 square feet of space, but those plans are not defi nite.
Kennedy added that the airport is working to bring The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) conference to Atlanta in 2012. Hartsfi eld-Jackson has already hosted, along with United Nations affi liate CIFAL Atlanta, multiple best practice sharing seminars for airport and government offi cials from around the world and continues to do so, Kennedy noted.
Hartsfi eld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is self-suffi cient, meaning it is not taxpayer-funded, and operates with the lowest costs of any major US airport, Kennedy said. The airport also benefi ts the Atlanta region, with an economic impact of $23 billion, Kennedy said. Each additional international fl ight equates to another $8-10 million in economic impact.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported some months ago that the airport’s ongoing renovation project will not be enough to meet increased demand at the airport. The agency recently granted Hartsfi eld-Jackson US$1 million to study ways to increase air travel capacity in the region. The grant will not fund the airport’s entire study, but it’s a good start,Kennedy noted.
