The official website of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Author: Anika Robertson

  • ATL’s relief areas provide haven for service animals, passenger pets

    ATL’s relief areas provide haven for service animals, passenger pets

    Service Animal Relief Areas are available for all passenger pets at Hartsfield-Jackson.

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    ATL leaders marked the completion of the seventh Service Animal Relief Area – the most animal relief areas of any other airport in the United States – during a press event last week next to the newest relief area at the International Terminal.

    “These areas allow for easier, more comfortable travel for guests and their pets while meeting federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr., who was joined Aug. 24 by members of Georgia Guide Dog Users. “Each year, more than 2 million pets take to the skies, so we know these areas offer a welcome bathroom break for our beloved animals.”

    These facilities not only provide pet comfort, but also increase the quality of ATL’s passenger experience.

    Rita Harris, president of Georgia Guide Dog users, said she is thankful for the project.

    “It is important for us because we, as visually impaired, are faced with challenges as well as having things accessible to us,” Harris said.

    “In solidifying our commitment to individuals with disabilities, we have made a significant investment,” said Steve Mayers, ATL’s director of customer experience and ADA coordinator. “This will enable our passengers with disabilities to have the convenience of providing care for their pets and a de-stressed area.”

    Each Service Animal Relief Area is spaciously equipped with pet supplies and concrete and grassy turf areas as well as a ground-level drinking fountain. All equipment is ADA accessible, including an automated entry door.

    Pet cleanup is simple with biodegradable pet waste bags and an overhead shower hose. The floor surface is antimicrobial, seamless, and it is stain and slip-resistant. A single sink is stationed on an adjacent wall for travelers to freshen up before leaving the space.

    Each relief area is always open at the following locations: T7, A10, B33, C19, D Centerpoint, E14 and F7.

    In addition, two outdoor dog parks at Hartsfield-Jackson offer relief and relaxation. Poochie Park, a 1,000-square-foot dog park in the Ground Transportation area on Domestic Terminal South, is located outside of doors W1 and W2. An additional pet relief area is located on the arrivals level of the International Terminal, right outside of door A1.

    “Service animals are loved and treated as family members by their owners, and we want them to be safe and comfortable, too,” Mayers said.

     

  • ATL releases 2016 Annual Report

    ATL releases 2016 Annual Report

     

    By Shane Blatt
    Senior Public Relations Manager

    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is proud to present its 2016 Annual Report. This report provides a year in review, underscoring the Airport’s initiatives and detailing its successes.

    Hartsfield-Jackson served more than 104 million guests in 2016, earning the distinction of world’s busiest airport for the 19th consecutive year. That followed a history-making 2015, when ATL became the first airport to host more than 100 million passengers in a single year.

    Beyond passenger counts, 2016 saw the launch of ATLNext, the Airport’s 20-year, multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, and the City of Atlanta signed a new 20-year lease agreement with Delta Air Lines.

    And those are just a few of the 2016 accomplishments for the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. To discover more, turn the page.

    View Annual Report
  • ATLNext website redesigned with key new features

    ATLNext website redesigned with key new features


    By Rachel Deloach
    Office of Public Affairs Intern 

    Next.atl.com – the website that tells the story of ATLNext, Hartsfield-Jackson’s $6 billion capital improvement program – has undergone a redesign.

    A key new feature is an interactive map, which details ATLNext construction impacts as well as projects planned, underway and completed. Another signature feature is a “Happening Now” page, which lists construction impacts by location (i.e. North or South Terminal) and provides the latest information sorted by date.

    Such changes create a more user-friendly experience, allowing passengers to navigate more quickly to specific information while placing an emphasis on immediate impacts.

    The website’s branding has also been updated, with a color palette consistent with ATLNext signage around the Airport. This provides a more uniform passenger experience from curb to gate.

     

  • Hartsfield-Jackson celebrates $1 billion sales milestone in concessions

    Hartsfield-Jackson celebrates $1 billion sales milestone in concessions

    Hartsfield-Jackson celebrates $1 billion in concessions sales July 11 with an array of food and gifts from more than a dozen retailers. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Business Chronicle.

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    The concessions program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hit an unprecedented peak in 2016, topping $1 billion in gross sales in a calendar year. ATL leaders, joined by Airport concessionaires, announced the milestone with food and fanfare July 11 .

    Airport Assistant General Manager of Commercial Development and Business Ventures Cortez Carter said the $1 billion achievement – which includes revenue from the Rental Car Center – speaks to the quality of ATL’s commercial venues and the sheer volume of passengers traveling through.

    “Very few airports in the world can boast that accomplishment,” Carter said. “It shows that beyond being a hub airport and an international airport, we are also a major hub for very successful concessionaires who operate at Hartsfield-Jackson.”

    The concessions program, recently rebranded as ATL Skypointe, consists of more than 300 dining retail and service locations.

    Concessions Director Chilly Ewing recognized ATL’s primary customers: the traveling public.

    “We also want to thank our passengers, 104 million a year and counting,” Ewing said. “Because of you, our concessions program is one of the best in the aviation industry.”

    The event at the Domestic Terminal featured more than a dozen restaurant brands serving food samples. Restaurants included Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays, Fresh To Order, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen.

    Daniel Halpern, CEO of Atlanta Restaurant Partners, said it is a “great honor” to contribute to ATL’s billion-dollar milestone.

    “ATL Skypointe represents the collaboration with us as business owners and entrepreneurs and the [Department of Aviation],” said Halpern, who operates restaurants including TGI Fridays and Charleys Philly Steaks.

    “For us, that point was no better illustrated than when we collaborated with concessions management and developed One Flew South eight years ago,” he said. “One Flew South has created a whole industry now in the airport dining space.”

    Randy Hazelton, co-founder of H&H Hospitality, said opening a business in Hartsfield-Jackson was a “game changer.”

    “To go and say that we operate in the Atlanta Airport changes the conversation,” said Hazelton, who has been operating in ATL since 2012 with eateries such as FLY Burger and Little Azio Pizza & Pasta.

    Opportunities for aspiring ATL concessionaires are right around the corner. Later this month, Hartsfield-Jackson plans to issue Requests for Proposals for more than 80 new retail venues.

    “We often say here at Hartsfield-Jackson that change is in the air,” Carter said. “As you can see, and will see … change is a positive thing for us and represents an upward trajectory that we believe will carry us for years to come.”

     

  • Hartsfield-Jackson honors USO’s 40th anniversary amid star-spangled celebration

    Hartsfield-Jackson honors USO’s 40th anniversary amid star-spangled celebration

    At top, representatives of the Georgia Consular Corps provided floral arrangements and letters to mark Independence Day. Above left and right, Hartsfield-Jackson kicks off the third annual “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Flying” campaign with a press conference in the Domestic Terminal atrium. Miss Black U.S. Ambassador 2014 Jazmine Scroggins sings the “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The event also marked the USO’s 40th anniversary at ATL. © 2017 Decisive Moment Events

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saluted the United Service Organization’s 40th anniversary at ATL as part of pre-Independence Day celebration at the world’s busiest airport.

    A June 28 press conference in the Domestic Terminal atrium, one of three events held simultaneously, kicked off the Airport’s third annual campaign called “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Flying.”

    Assistant General Manager of Public Safety and Security Richard Duncan praised the USO, which opened July 1, 1977, and was the first to set up a center inside a U.S. airport. Although it has grown in the 40 years since then, the USO’s mission has remained the same, he said.

    “Through times of peace and times of conflict, the USO at Hartsfield-Jackson has proudly served as a place of respite, where our brave men and women in uniform and their families are welcomed, respected and appreciated,” Duncan told dozens of dignitaries and passengers amid a sea of stars and stripes.

    Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, said he represents all service members “who benefit from the best USO in the world.”

    The USO Georgia is known for the men and women it serves, more than 10 million, from young enlistees to military families.

    “Our most important thank you goes to the more than 1,000 USO volunteers who have served this USO so faithfully,” Jarrard said. “Without their tireless efforts and passionate efforts, [the center] would be just another room in a building.”

    Mary Lou Austin, CEO and president of the USO Georgia, has been an integral part of the USO since it opened at Hartsfield-Jackson. She still runs the organization from its office on the third floor of the Domestic Terminal.

    “We plan to be around a long time always serving our mission to connect the men, women and families to our country,” she said.

    During the event, ATL volunteers distributed illuminated wands and patriotic sunglasses to travelers. Captain America and Wonder Woman added star power while posing for pictures with passengers.

    Festivities continued at the International Terminal, where the pre-Independence Day celebration had a global focus.

    Deputy General Manager Balram Bheodari welcomed members of the Georgia Consular Corps. The ceremony included representatives from Canada, Korea, India, Japan, Belgium, Nigeria, Haiti, Lithuania and Taiwan.

    “These members represent our region’s global diversity and international focus,” Bheodari said. “They’re our partners in so many respects, helping develop and nurture cultural, commercial and scientific ties between this region and the area in which they serve.”

    Members of the Consular Corps provided floral arrangements and presented Director of International Affairs Alrene Barr with letters congratulating the United States on its Independence Day. The floral arrangements will be displayed in the International Terminal throughout the week.

    On Concourse B, interim Deputy General Manager and CFO Greg Richardson said this weekend, the nation will enjoy fireworks, barbecues and picnics.

    “As you celebrate,” he added, “we ask that you please remember to pay tribute to our active military service members and distinguished veterans.”

     

  • ATL recognized as top performer in Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge

    ATL recognized as top performer in Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge

    By Rachel Deloach
    Office of Public Affairs Intern

     

    The world’s busiest and most efficient airport has been recognized as a top performer in the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge (ABBC) for the fifth year in a row.

    Three ATL facilities – Tech Campus as well as the North and South parking decks – have been identified as 2016 top performers.

    “Participation in the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge not only demonstrates the Airport’s commitment to airport efficiency, but also the commitment ATL has toward being a sustainability leader in the local community, the United States and the world,” said Director of Asset Management Charles Marshall.

    When the Better Buildings Initiative was launched in 2011 by then-President Obama, Atlanta was one of the first cities selected.

    Now Atlanta leads the nation in the program, Marshall said.

    The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge aims to support the Department of Energy’s goal of helping businesses save nearly $40 billion annually in energy costs, enabling business growth, investing in new technology and creating U.S. jobs.

    The initiative also wants to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy and water efficient by 2020. This coincides with ATL’s sustainability efforts and mission to become one of the world’s greenest airports.

    ATL will be recognized at an event at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12 at Three Alliance Center in Atlanta.

     

  • Awards ceremony salutes achievements in air cargo

    Awards ceremony salutes achievements in air cargo

    More than 100 attended the ATL Cargo Awards, which honored business and individuals (top) who are helping move ATL into the top tier among U.S. airports for cargo volume. Below right, Director of Air Service Development Elliott Paige said the event “is a way of giving back to the community and recognizing their contributions to the growth and development of cargo in and around the Airport.” © 2017 Decisive Moment Events

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
    The ATL Cargo Awards celebrated and honored the Airport’s “robust and vibrant” air cargo community with a ceremony and luncheon June 21.

    More than 100 attended the annual event, which was held in the North Cargo building and featured stakeholders from the air cargo community, including ground handlers, ramp agents, freight forwarders, trucking companies and members of the Atlanta Air Cargo Association (AACA). AACA and the Metro Atlanta Chamber co-hosted the program.

    Airport Director of Air Service Development Elliott Paige said the event pays tribute to businesses and individuals who are helping make ATL a “formidable force” in the industry.

    “Hartsfield-Jackson’s air cargo community is robust and vibrant, and it continues to make a significant impact on the Airport and the region,” Paige said. “Our goal, of course, remains the same: To grow air cargo, propelling ATL into the top tier among U.S. airports for cargo volume. And I’m pleased to report that we continue to make great strides toward that objective.”

    In 2016, ATL moved 648,595 metric tons of cargo, a 3.58 percent increase over 2015’s total, said Paige, adding that ATL is setting the stage to boost that number dramatically over the coming years.

    He cited additional cargo carriers as well as new flights in the coming months. And before the year ends, he said, ATL expects to add at least four additional cities to Atlanta for cargo transport. In addition, Building C will soon be online, giving ATL the much-needed capacity to help meet future cargo demand.

    One milestone over the past year has been the launch of TruckPass, a dock traffic control system in the South Cargo area. From February to March alone, ATL saw a 14 percent bump in overall cargo volume and another 6 percent increase in April.

    ATL officials attribute some of that growth to TruckPass as well as the extraordinary efforts of the air cargo community. ATL Cargo Award winners are as follows:

    Category Company/Employee
    Cargo Airline
    of the Year    		 Delta Air Lines
    Belly-Cargo
    Airline of the Year    		 United Airlines
    All-Cargo
    Airline of the Year    		 FedEx
    Cargo Employee
    of the Year    		 Justin Taylor
    Elite Logistics
    Freight Forwarder
    of the Year    		 Future Forwarding Company
    Trucking Company
    of the Year    		 J&P Hall Express

     

    Q&A with Elliott Paige


    The Airport director of air service development spoke about ATL’s air cargo community – and what’s to come.

    Q: What was the impetus for the Cargo Awards?
    A: The ATL Cargo Awards is a way of giving back to the community and recognizing their contributions to the growth and development of cargo in and around the Airport. It’s our way of recognizing that Hartsfield-Jackson plays a vital role in the global supply chain for air cargo and also awarding key stakeholders who have made major contributions to the growth and efforts of our work in cargo in Atlanta. It’s also an opportunity for us to network and meet the people who are involved in this sector.

    Q: What are the most popular items shipped from ATL?
    A: The things that pass through this Airport tend to be a function of what’s around the Southeast. The Southeast become the nation’s hub for automotive production. We have Nissan, Kia Motors, Hyundai, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Then aerospace [industry] is here. We have the largest airline – Delta Air Lines – and they have they have their Technical Operations Center here, which means they do a lot of repairs. [Commercial jet] spare parts, engines pass through here. We have Airbus, Gulfstream and so on. Lastly, we receive a lot of pharmaceuticals that pass through as well.

    Q: What would you like to change? Are there any industry challenges?
    A: One of the challenges we have is the quality of ground-handling services – and the speed to move [cargo] from landside to airside. The more efficient we become, the higher the value of cargo that passes through this Airport, and the more we as a community are able to pay workers and increase their wages. Moving forward, we hope to position the cargo community for even greater collaboration, not just among ourselves, but also other cargo communities internationally.
     

  • ATL fair a ‘win-win’ for vendors, concessionaires, sustainability

    ATL fair a ‘win-win’ for vendors, concessionaires, sustainability

    ATL passengers will soon enjoy sustainable food containers and serviceware as part of the Sustainable Food Court Initiative.

    By Rachel Deloach
    Office of Public Affairs Intern

     

    A dozen vendors showcased their environmentally friendly wares last week to a receptive audience: ATL concessionaires, who will be required to transition from Styrofoam to sustainable products by Oct. 1.

    Vendors pitched everything from biopolymers to plant-based plastic made with sugarcane at the third annual Sustainable Food Court Initiative Vendor Fair, held June 9 in the Gateway Conference Room.

    This was the last fair before Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport tosses away Styrofoam for good — part of ATL’s ongoing push to become one of the greenest airports in the world.

    Eliminating Styrofoam supports ATL’s Sustainable Management Plan, which was created in 2011 with a commitment to reduce waste by 90 percent by 2020. Moving to sustainable products will not only advance ATL’s environmental efforts, but also generate revenue in the process.

    “Taking an integrated approach is paramount to achieving our sustainability goals and meeting the target of being one of the greenest airports in the world,” said Resilience and Sustainability Manager Liza Milagro.

    Between now and Sept. 1, concessionaires are expected to choose a vendor and inform Milagro. Concessionaires must have their products converted by the deadline, although repercussions for noncompliance have not been established.

    Some concessionaires, however, are ahead of the game, having already converted their materials. For others, this is a new process.

    The June 9 fair allowed concessionaires without a packaging partner to meet with vendors. The event also educated Department of Aviation personnel on how to phase out Styrofoam products.

    “The Sustainable Food Court Initiative Vendor Fair was a win-win for all parties,” Milagro said. “It brings us closer to our goal of zero waste, it gives concessionaires another opportunity to learn and network with vendors, and it gives the vendors an opportunity to be face to face with decision-makers of million-dollar brands.”

     

  • ATL celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month

    ATL celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month

    © 2017 Decisive Moment Events, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Caribbean-American Heritage Month

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    Caribbean American Heritage Month got into full swing June 9, as ATL celebrated the region’s rich heritage and significant contributions with a feast for the senses.

    The event at the International Terminal featured stilt dancing, flag waving and food sampling, and it drew ATL leaders as well as international dignitaries. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport began marking the occasion last year, on the 10th anniversary of National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

    “The [Caribbean] influence runs the gamut, with noteworthy achievements in the arts, food, music, education, commerce, leadership, science and, of course, sports,” Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. said.

    “But beyond its distinctive culture and world-class cuisine, calling attention to the Caribbean heritage is important for another reason,” Council said. “Hartsfield-Jackson has some 30 flights a day to the Caribbean, making it an important regional destination. We will continue to work with our airline partners to build air service to this region.”

    ATL Director of International Affairs Alrene Barr introduced members of the Georgia Consular Corps, who shared facts about their respective country. Attending members included Jewel Scott, honorary consul of Jamaica; Marva Jacobs, honorary consul of Guyana; and Reginald Michel, economic and commercial officer for the Consulate of Haiti.

    “As respective regional ambassadors, the Consular Corps work closely with those from their nation, the government and one another to shape Atlanta’s rich cultural tapestry,” Barr said. “These members represent our region’s global diversity and international focus. They’re our partners in so many respects, helping develop and nurture the cultural, commercial and scientific ties between this region and the area in which they serve.”

    Also on hand to share her story was Simone Edwards, the first Caribbean WNBA player and national spokesperson for Caribbean American Heritage Month.

    “I got bullied as young girl because of this height,” said Edwards, who now stands at 6’4”. “But I embraced it after a while … it made me a champion.”

    Edwards said current circumstances should not determine a person’s future.

    “You’ve got to keep pushing, and you’ve got to keep fighting for what you want and what you believe in and stay focused despite all the obstacles around you,” she said.

    Council believes international partnerships – both locally and abroad – are central to ATL’s continued growth.

    “One of our strategic priorities is strengthening our community relationships,” Council said. “As part of that, we will continue to fortify our ties with the Caribbean community – one of the iconic communities that make up the magnificent cultural mosaic that is Atlanta.”

    sight of passengers darting across ATL’s roadways to enter and exit the Domestic Terminal will soon be a thing of the past.

     

  • ATL, Delta, environmental group seek to change the course of waterways

    ATL, Delta, environmental group seek to change the course of waterways

    Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr., Director of Asset Management and Sustainability Michael Cheyne, and dignitaries from Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Delta Air Lines perform a ribbon-cutting at the Change the Course press conference Wednesday, June 7. © Delta Air Lines

    By Rachel Deloach
    Office of Public Affairs Intern

     

    Representatives from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta Air Lines and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation gathered Wednesday, June 7 to launch Change the Course, an initiative that aims to restore 30 million gallons water to Georgia’s ecosystem over the next year.

    The campaign, which kicked off as part of press conference in the Domestic Terminal atrium, seeks to educate and raise awareness to support the health and vitality of the state’s waterways. That includes the Flint River, which flows underneath the world’s busiest airport.

    The river is a vital resource for agriculture, manufacturing and wildlife. But stormwater runoff, pollution and drought conditions have taken a toll on the animal population and diminished economic opportunities.

    “This Airport is taking steps to address these concerns through our sustainability initiatives — part of a broader effort to become one of the greenest airports in the world,” said Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr.

    Council was joined Wednesday by John Laughter, senior vice president for Delta Air Lines; Calvin Farr, assistant commissioner with the Department of Watershed Management; Stephanie Stuckey, chief resilience officer with the City of Atlanta; and Val Fishman, chief development officer with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

    Hartsfield-Jackson and Delta are two of the 38 corporate sponsors that support Change the Course. Together, these sponsors will help replenish more than 8 billion gallons of water.

    “This partnership with our hometown airport to provide a clean source of water in the region will benefit the customers who live and work here, and beyond, while fostering long-lasting environmental stewardship,” Laughter said.

    Every person who texts “ATL” to 474747 or refills a water bottle at a specially marked station will help restore 1,000 gallons of water.

    As of June 8, Airport officials said, more than 1.4 million gallons of water have been restored just from text messaging.

    Change the Course corporate sponsors support 35 restoration projects across 11 states and Mexico, but the movement is far from over.

    “Our human story over the coming decades … is being written every day by the choices we make about how we use, manage, value and think about freshwater,” Fishman said.