The Busy Atlanta Airport: How Many Employees Does It Take?

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bustling hub of activity, employing a diverse range of professionals across various sectors. With a workforce of approximately 60,000 people, it stands as Georgia's biggest employer. Among its staff are airline personnel, ground transportation specialists, concession operators, security personnel, federal government employees, and City of Atlanta personnel, all working together to ensure the smooth operation of one of the world's busiest airports.

The airport employs around 60,000 people

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is the busiest airport in the world, serving more than 100 million passengers annually. The airport is also the biggest employer in Georgia, with around 60,000 employees.

The airport's workforce is comprised of a diverse range of professionals, including airline staff, ground transportation operators, concessionaires, security personnel, federal government employees, and City of Atlanta staff. Together, they ensure the smooth operation of one of the world's busiest transportation hubs.

The airport's economic impact extends beyond its immediate workforce. With a payroll of approximately $2.4 billion, the airport contributes significantly to the local and regional economy, generating an annual economic impact of over $19.8 billion. This includes creating various indirect job opportunities and supporting local businesses.

The airport's role as a major employer and economic driver has made it a vital part of the community. It has become more than just a transportation hub; it is a place where careers are forged, friendships are made, and dreams are pursued. The airport's impact on the region's development and prosperity cannot be overstated.

It is Georgia's biggest employer

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is Georgia's biggest employer, with more than 60,000 people working at the airport. This includes airline, ground transportation, concessionaire, security, federal government, City of Atlanta, and airport tenant employees. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. It is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving over 100 million passengers annually.

The airport is a major economic driver for the region, with a direct and indirect economic impact of $3.2 billion on the local and regional economy and an annual regional economic impact of more than $19.8 billion. The airport's payroll amounts to $2.4 billion, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Hartsfield–Jackson has been the world's busiest airport since 1998, except for a brief period in 2020 due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a gateway to hundreds of domestic and international destinations and is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population.

The airport is also known for its efficiency, having held the title of the World's Most Efficient Airport for 14 consecutive years. This efficiency is achieved through various infrastructure developments and investments, such as the addition of a fifth runway and the construction of a new control tower, which is the tallest in the United States.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not just a transportation hub but also a cultural hub, featuring rotating and permanent art exhibits, diverse dining options, and community engagement initiatives. The airport's commitment to efficiency, innovation, and community development solidifies its position as a leading employer and a key contributor to Georgia's economy.

The airport is mostly in Clayton County

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located in Clayton County, approximately ten miles south of downtown Atlanta. While the airport does spill into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, extending into Fulton County, the majority of the airport is in unincorporated areas of Clayton County.

Clayton County is primed for businesses that need access to the global marketplace, thanks to the presence of ATL, which has been the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic since 1998 (except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines, with just over 1,000 flights a day to 225 domestic and international destinations. It also serves as an operating base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport in the world.

The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport is also Georgia's biggest employer, with more than 60,000 people working in various roles, from concession operators to air traffic controllers. The airport has a significant economic impact on the region, with a direct and indirect economic impact of $3.2 billion and an annual regional economic impact of over $19.8 billion.

The airport is accessible via the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and offers parking spots for 30,000 vehicles. It features an impressive air traffic control tower that stands at 398 feet tall, making it the tallest in North America and the fourth tallest in the world.

It is named after former Atlanta mayors

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport was first named after Hartsfield in 1971, following his death. The name was changed later that year to William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, reflecting the airport's growing number of flights to and from destinations outside North America.

In 2003, the Atlanta City Council voted to also honour Maynard Jackson, the first African-American mayor of Atlanta, by renaming the airport after him. Jackson was a descendant of public servants and was known for tirelessly championing minority businesses. As mayor, he focused on ensuring that minority businesses received more municipal contracts. Jackson was also responsible for building the massive new terminal at the airport, which was the largest construction project in the South at the time, costing $500 million. The project included an innovative passenger transfer hub system that allowed passengers to reach terminals via an underground transportation system.

Jackson's renaming was controversial, with the council initially planning to drop Hartsfield's name from the airport. However, public sentiment prevented this, resulting in the airport's current name, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located 10 miles south of the Downtown Atlanta district and covers 4,700 acres of land. With over 100 million passengers annually, it has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for 2020 when travel was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport is also Georgia's biggest employer, with over 60,000 employees.

The airport covers 4,700 acres of land

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a sprawling aviation complex that covers 4,700 acres of land. To put that into perspective, it's equivalent to 7.3 square miles or 19 square kilometres. This makes it significantly smaller than the largest airport in the world, King Fahd International Airport, which covers a mind-boggling 300 square miles. However, it is notably larger than the biggest airport in the US, Denver International Airport, which spans 53 square miles.

Hartsfield–Jackson Airport's vast expanse of 4,700 acres includes five parallel runways, all aligned in an east-west direction. The longest runway measures 12,390 feet and can accommodate the Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world. The airport also boasts two terminals and seven concourses, with a total of 192 gates. The terminal complex itself covers 156.1 acres, or 6.8 million square feet, and includes a variety of facilities for passengers and employees.

The airport's size is a testament to its status as one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it served over 104.6 million passengers, a remarkable number that secured its position as the busiest airport globally. This number also represents a significant recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on air travel in 2020. The airport is also a major employer, providing jobs for approximately 55,300 to 63,000 people across various roles, from airline operations to ground transportation and concessions.

The airport's land coverage of 4,700 acres is not just about runways and terminals. It also includes parking facilities, with over 30,000 public parking spaces available across multiple lots and decks. Additionally, the airport has a robust ground transportation system, including shuttle services, taxi and limo services, rental car agencies, and train services provided by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

The airport's size and infrastructure have been thoughtfully designed to accommodate the high volume of passengers and flights it handles daily. With its five runways, vast terminal complex, and efficient ground transportation options, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is well-equipped to manage its busy status and provide a smooth experience for travellers and employees alike.

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