Atlanta's Dual Airport System: Two Hubs, One City

Atlanta is served by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, there is currently only one airport in Atlanta. However, the idea of a second airport has been studied and debated for decades. In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the need for Atlanta to have additional airport capacity by 2025. A follow-up report in 2015 mentioned significant congestion at Hartsfield-Jackson, but there were still no plans for a second airport. Atlanta officials and Delta Air Lines, which operates its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson, have expressed skepticism about building a second airport due to the high costs and potential economic failure.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is Atlanta's primary airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL, FAA LID: ATL) is the primary airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta and covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land. With five parallel runways, Hartsfield–Jackson has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic reduced passenger numbers.

Hartsfield–Jackson is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. It serves as the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with over 1,000 daily flights to 225 domestic and international destinations. In addition to Delta, the airport is also a base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The airport offers international service to North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Hartsfield–Jackson's history dates back to 1925 when it began as a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land that was previously an abandoned auto racetrack. The lease was signed by Mayor Walter Sims, who committed to developing it into an airfield. The first flight into what was then known as Candler Field arrived on September 15, 1926, a Florida Airways mail plane flying from Jacksonville, Florida. Over the years, the airport expanded and underwent several name changes, eventually becoming Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2003 to honour former mayors Hartsfield and Jackson.

Today, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has two terminals and seven concourses with a total of 192 gates. The airport employs about 55,300 people and has a significant economic impact on the local and regional economy. While there have been discussions about the need for a second commercial airport in Atlanta due to congestion, the city has opposed the idea, citing cost-benefit analysis and the potential impact on Hartsfield–Jackson's status as the region's crown jewel for economic development.

Atlanta's second airport was an idea studied by the city

In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified Atlanta as a city that might need another commercial airport by 2025. This was due to the significant congestion and delays at Hartsfield-Jackson, which is located 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta. As a result, Atlanta received a $1 million federal grant to explore the possibility of constructing another airport in the area.

The city of Atlanta, along with Delta Air Lines, which operates its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson, expressed scepticism about the idea of building a second airport. They believed that it would be expensive and potentially unsuccessful from an economic standpoint. Despite this, Atlanta continued to explore possible locations for a second airport.

In 2011, the FAA, the City of Atlanta, and a consulting team completed the Atlanta Metropolitan Aviation Capacity Study, Phase II. The study identified Dobbins Air Reserve Base as the best site in terms of market potential and development costs. However, airspace and environmental issues made this site problematic. The second-best option was the Cobb County Airport, but high development costs made this site prohibitive as well.

Another option considered was the expansion of an existing general aviation airport, such as the Paulding County Regional Airport, which opened in 2009. The City of Atlanta had purchased over 10,000 acres of land in Paulding County in 1975 in anticipation of a possible second airport. However, attempts to bring commercial flights to this airport have faced legal challenges and opposition from Atlanta and Delta Air Lines.

In 2015, Hartsfield-Jackson unveiled a 20-year Master Expansion Plan to address the air travel capacity needs in the Atlanta area through 2035. The plan includes additional gates, a sixth runway, new concourses, and more parking lots to accommodate future growth.

While the idea of a second airport in Atlanta has been studied and debated for decades, the city has ultimately concluded that none of the potential sites offer the right benefits for the costs. For now, Atlanta will continue to rely on the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region.

The city of Atlanta owns 10,000 acres of land in Paulding County, considered for a second airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. It is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, serving 104.6 million passengers in 2023. However, the city has been grappling with the idea of a second airport to cater to the growing air travel demand in the region.

In 1975, the City of Atlanta purchased 10,165 acres of land in Paulding County, west of the city, with the intention of potentially developing a second commercial airport. This land acquisition demonstrated the city's foresight in recognizing the possible need for another airport to support the increasing air traffic in the region. The city also explored other options, including expanding existing general aviation airports or converting air force bases.

In 2007, Atlanta received a $1 million federal grant to study the feasibility of constructing another airport. The Federal Aviation Administration's report, "Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System, 2007-2025," identified the need for additional capacity at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and in the Atlanta metropolitan area by 2025. However, both the City of Atlanta and Delta Air Lines, which operates its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson, expressed skepticism about the potential expense and economic viability of a second airport.

Despite this, the idea of a second airport in Paulding County continued to gain traction. In 2007, Paulding County purchased 162 acres of land from the City of Atlanta to develop the Paulding County Regional Airport, which opened in 2009. This airport is jet-capable, but significant expansion would be required to transform it into a commercial reliever airport. The City of Atlanta's remaining land holdings in Paulding County could still accommodate the construction of a second commercial airport.

The City of Atlanta's stance on a second airport has evolved over time. Initially, they supported the concept and even acquired land for this purpose. However, they later opposed the commercialization of the Paulding County Airport, filing a lawsuit against Paulding County and the Paulding County Airport Authority, citing a broken promise that the airport would remain a general aviation facility. This shift in position may be influenced by the desire to protect the revenue generated by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the potential competition a second airport could bring.

Delta Airlines opposes the notion of a second airport in the metro area

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. It is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. The airport serves as the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines.

Despite the airport's success, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified it and the Atlanta metropolitan area as needing additional capacity by 2025. This prompted the city of Atlanta to consider the possibility of building a second airport. However, Delta Airlines opposes the notion of a second airport in the metro area.

In 2011, the Atlanta Metropolitan Aviation Capacity Study, Phase II, was completed by the FAA, the City of Atlanta, and a consulting team. The study considered the potential of Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Cobb County Airport as alternative sites. While Dobbins Air Reserve Base was the best site from a market potential and development cost perspective, the airspace and environmental aspects posed challenges. On the other hand, Cobb County Airport was a strong contender due to its accessibility, but the high development costs were prohibitive. Ultimately, the study concluded that none of the eight sites, including these two, brought the right benefits for the cost.

Delta Airlines' opposition to a second airport in the metro area stems from concerns about the economic viability of such a project. They argue that it would be expensive and potentially unsuccessful. Additionally, Delta has a vested interest in maintaining Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as its primary hub. The airport serves as the cornerstone of Delta's route system, and the addition of a rival airport could potentially threaten its dominance in the region.

To solidify its stance, Delta included a clause in its 20-year lease agreement with the city's airport, stating that the city pledges not to operate any second commercial airport in the region. This lease agreement underscores Delta's commitment to maintaining Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as its primary hub and its influence on the city's aviation strategies.

While Delta's opposition carries weight, it is important to consider the benefits that a second airport could bring to the region. With ATL consistently ranking as the world's busiest airport, passengers often experience long TSA and bag-check lines, flight delays, limited on-site parking, and overcrowding. A reliever airport could potentially alleviate these issues and enhance the travel experience for many Georgians.

The city of Atlanta has sued Paulding County to prevent them from building a commercial airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport in the world.

In 1975, in anticipation of a second airport, the City of Atlanta purchased 10,165 acres of land in Paulding County, west of the city. In 2007, Atlanta sold 162 acres of this land to Paulding County for the development of a new general aviation airport, which opened in 2009 as Paulding County Regional Airport.

However, the City of Atlanta and Delta Air Lines, which operates its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson, opposed the idea of a second commercial airport in the metro area. They argued that it would be expensive and an economic failure, potentially drawing revenue and passengers away from Hartsfield-Jackson.

In 2017, the City of Atlanta filed a lawsuit against Paulding County and the Paulding County Airport Authority, alleging that they had broken a promise that their airport would not be used for commercial airline service. The lawsuit cited materials from Paulding officials and past correspondence from the director of Paulding's airport to support their claim.

The dispute over the airport's commercialization led to multiple lawsuits and political upheaval in Paulding County, with residents voting to unseat county commissioners who supported the project. Eventually, the tide of political support turned against the commercialization of the Paulding airport, and the county agreed not to commercialize the airport for 25 years. As part of the settlement, a restriction blocking passenger service at the Paulding airport was added to the land deed.

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