Athens, Georgia: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Athens, Georgia, is served by the Athens–Ben Epps Airport, a county-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) east of the city's central business district. The airport is named after Ben T. Epps, the first aviator in Georgia, who opened the airport in 1917. It covers an area of 425 acres (172 ha) at an elevation of 812 feet (248 m) above sea level and features two asphalt runways. While it primarily serves general aviation, Athens–Ben Epps Airport has seen airline service throughout its history, with the last scheduled service provided by SeaPort Airlines, which operated daily flights to Nashville. Currently, there are no airlines serving Athens, and travellers often opt for nearby airports in Atlanta, Greenville, or Charlotte for more convenient flight options.

Athens-Ben Epps Airport

The airport provides facilities and services for both commercial and general aviation operations. It is mostly used for general aviation, although it has seen airline service throughout its history. Athens-Ben Epps Airport is home to the University of Georgia Aviation club, and it also serves as the primary hub for transporting the university's athletics teams to and from away games.

Until 2008, the airport was served by twice-daily flights to Charlotte on Air Midwest operating as US Airways Express. SeaPort Airlines was the last airline providing scheduled services to the airport, with daily flights to Nashville. On September 28, 2012, the United States Department of Transportation awarded SeaPort Airlines with daily flights to Nashville, replacing GeorgiaSkies. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 3,449 passenger boardings in 2008, 5,335 in 2009, and 5,751 in 2010.

In September 2015, a $17 million, 600-foot runway extension project was completed to accommodate larger planes, primarily for use by the University of Georgia. In 2020, the airport received a $750,000 grant from the United States Department of Transportation to provide incentives for a commercial airliner to begin services to Athens.

For the 12-month period ending April 30, 2023, the airport had 39,471 aircraft operations, an average of 108 per day. At that time, there were 82 aircraft based at the airport, including 71 single-engine planes, 8 multi-engine planes, 1 jet, 1 helicopter, and 1 glider.

Commercial flights from Athens

Athens in Georgia does have an airport, the Athens–Ben Epps Airport, which is located three nautical miles (6 km) east of the central business district of Athens. The airport is named after Ben T. Epps, the first aviator in the state of Georgia, who opened the airport in 1917. It is mostly used for general aviation, but it has seen airline service throughout its history.

Until May 23, 2008, Athens–Ben Epps Airport was served by twice-daily flights to Charlotte on Air Midwest operating as US Airways Express. SeaPort Airlines was the last airline providing scheduled service to the airport, with daily flights to Nashville. On September 28, 2012, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded SeaPort Airlines with daily flights to Nashville, replacing GeorgiaSkies.

In recent years, there have been no airlines serving Athens, and travellers have been advised to fly into Atlanta and take a connecting flight to Athens. However, in 2020, the airport received a $750,000 grant from the United States Department of Transportation to provide incentives for a commercial airliner to begin services to Athens. There have been negotiations with American Airlines to start services to the city.

Athens–Ben Epps Airport covers an area of 425 acres (172 ha) and has two asphalt runways. The airport had 39,471 aircraft operations in the year ending April 30, 2023, with an average of 108 per day. The University of Georgia Aviation Club is based at the airport, and the University's sports teams use it as their primary hub for transporting players, coaches, and staff.

While there are currently no commercial flights directly to Athens, Georgia, travellers can fly into nearby Atlanta and use other means of transportation to reach Athens.

Charter flights

Athens-Ben Epps Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Athens, Georgia. The airport opened in 1917 and is named after Ben T. Epps, the first aviator in the state of Georgia.

Athens-Ben Epps Airport provides facilities and services for both commercial and general aviation operations. The airport has two asphalt-paved runways: 2/20, which is 3,995 by 100 feet, and 9/27, which is 6,122 by 100 feet.

The airport is mostly used for general aviation, although it has seen airline services throughout its history. In September 2015, a $17 million, 600-foot runway extension project was completed to accept larger planes, primarily for use by the University of Georgia.

Athens-Ben Epps Airport accommodates all types of private charter and jet aircraft. evoJets is one company that helps football fans book private jets to Georgia Bulldogs games at the University of Georgia.

Driving directions from Atlanta airport to Athens

Athens does have an airport—the Athens–Ben Epps Airport, which is named after Ben T. Epps, the first aviator in the state of Georgia. It is located three nautical miles (or six kilometres) east of the central business district of Athens. However, the airport currently has no airlines serving it.

There are several routes you can take to drive from Atlanta Airport to Athens. Here are the two most common options:

Option 1: I-85 North to GA 316

• Take I-85 North from Atlanta to GA 316 (Exit #106).
• Follow GA 316 East for about 40 miles to the Athens Perimeter (Loop 10).
• Bear right on Loop 10, travelling east.
• After about six miles, take Exit #8 (Lexington Rd./Oconee St.).
• Turn left. Oconee St. becomes Broad St. and leads directly into downtown Athens.

Option 2: I-85 North to GA 129

• Take I-85 North from Atlanta to GA 129 South (Exit #137).
• GA 129 becomes Jefferson Hwy., then Prince Ave. and leads directly into downtown Athens.

Alternate Routes

There are a few other routes you can consider as well:

• Take GA 78 East. Exit right onto GA 316 and proceed on GA 316 to the Athens Perimeter (Loop 10). Follow the directions from Option 1 from there.
• Take I-20 East to Conyers. Exit onto GA 138 East (Exit #82). Then take GA 78 East. Exit right onto GA 316 and proceed on GA 316 to the Athens Perimeter (Loop 10). Follow the directions from Option 1 from there.
• Take I-85 South to US 441 South (Exit #149) for about 20 miles. Go under the Athens perimeter. The road becomes MLK Jr. Boulevard. Turn right onto North Avenue and follow it into downtown Athens.
• Take US 129/441 North. Follow the signs for US 441 into Athens.

Nearest major airport to Athens

Athens in Greece has an international airport, Athens International Airport (IATA: ATH), which is the closest major airport to the city. It is located 12.8 miles (20.6 km) from the city centre. The airport is also known as Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA: ATH / ICAO: LGAV).

There are also several other airports within a few hundred kilometres of Athens, including Syros Island National Airport (77.8 miles / 125.2 km away), Skyros Island National Airport (80.1 miles / 128.9 km away), and Skiathos International Airport (83.6 miles / 134.6 km away).

Athens in Georgia, United States, also has an airport, Athens–Ben Epps Airport (IATA: AHN / ICAO: KAHN). This airport is located three nautical miles (6 km) east of the central business district of Athens. However, it is a small airport with limited flights, and it is primarily used for general aviation. The closest major airport to Athens, Georgia, is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is located approximately 70 miles (112 km) away.

Frequently asked questions