Airports In Georgia: A Comprehensive Overview

There are 107 public-use airports in Georgia, 98 of which are general aviation airports and nine are commercial-aviation airports. The state's principal airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is the busiest passenger airport in the world. Other major airports include the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Chamblee and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, which serves over 1,700,000 passengers annually.

Georgia's busiest airport

Georgia has 107 public-use airports, 98 of which are general aviation airports and nine are commercial-aviation airports. The busiest airport in the state is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020 when travel was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport globally. It is also the busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements. The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. It has international service within North America and Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. The airport is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with just over 1,000 flights a day to 225 domestic and international destinations. It is also an operating base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

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 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.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The airport has two terminals (Domestic and Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International) and seven concourses (Concourses A-F and T) with a total of 192 gates. The terminals and concourses are connected by an underground pedestrian tunnel, the Transportation Mall, and an automated people mover, the Plane Train. The airport offers a variety of ground transportation options, including a train station on the city's rapid transit system, MARTA, with direct access to the Domestic Terminal.

Other major airports

Georgia has 107 public-use airports, 98 of which are general aviation airports and nine are commercial-aviation airports. The major airports in the state include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the state and the busiest passenger airport in the world. It serves as the primary hub for Delta Airlines and is crucial for travellers heading to Europe and Latin America. The airport has almost 80 airlines operating and offers international flights to South America, North America, Central America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport is located in Chamblee. It is one of the two significant airports in the state, serving over 1,700,000 passengers annually.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is the second international airport in the state. It serves over 1,700,000 passengers annually and offers services from airlines such as Delta, United Express, Continental Airlines, American Eagle, and US Airways.

• Southwest Georgia Regional Airport
• Augusta Regional Airport (Bush Field)
• Brunswick Golden Isles Airport
• Middle Georgia Regional Airport
• Valdosta Regional Airport
• Fulton County Executive Airport (Charlie Brown Field)
• Cobb County International Airport (McCollum Field)
• Gwinnett County Airport (Briscoe Field)

Commercial vs. general aviation airports

The aviation field can be divided into three main categories: business aviation, commercial aviation, and general aviation. Each of these categories serves specific purposes and includes a wide range of aircraft and services.

Commercial Aviation

Commercial aviation involves scheduled passenger and cargo services offered by airlines. These airlines operate a fleet of aircraft to transport paying passengers and goods between various destinations worldwide. Commercial aviation caters to the general public and is designed to transport passengers and cargo on scheduled routes. It plays a crucial role in tourism, trade, and the global economy, connecting people and goods across continents.

General Aviation

General aviation encompasses all civil aviation activities that are not part of commercial or military operations. It includes a diverse range of flying activities, such as private flying, recreational flying, flight training, agricultural aviation, emergency medical services, and aerial photography. General aviation serves a diverse array of purposes and audiences, catering to private pilots, recreational flyers, flight schools, aerial surveyors, humanitarian organizations, law enforcement bodies, and more.

Commercial vs. General Aviation

The main difference between commercial and general aviation lies in the nature of their operations and the type of aircraft used. Commercial aviation involves scheduled flights from larger airports, transporting passengers or cargo. It is subject to stringent safety regulations and pilots are held to high medical and safety standards. On the other hand, general aviation includes all non-scheduled flights that are not operated by commercial airlines or the military. It is easier to obtain a license for general aviation aircraft, and safety standards are not as stringent as those for commercial pilots. General aviation offers more flexibility in terms of destinations and itineraries, while commercial aviation provides extensive accessibility to numerous cities worldwide through regular routes.

In the state of Georgia, USA, there are 107 public-use airports, out of which 9 are commercial aviation airports, and 98 are general aviation airports.

Private-use airports

Notable private-use airports in Georgia include South Fulton Airport, which was open for public use in 2005, and Turner Air Force Base, which closed in 1979.

Frequently asked questions