The official website of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Category: Sustainability

  • Innovation Forum envisions airports of tomorrow

    Innovation Forum envisions airports of tomorrow

    Emerging technology expert Ian Khan urges change at the fourth annual AAAE Airport Innovation Forum July 17 at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. © 2018 Decisive Moment Events

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    Airport leaders preparing for self-driving cars, virtual reality and artificial intelligence gathered to share what’s in store for passengers in the not-so-distant future as Hartsfield-Jackson hosted the fourth annual AAAE Airport Innovation Forum July 16-18.

    “Long before Hartsfield-Jackson became the world’s busiest airport, or most efficient airport, or the best airport for dining and shopping, it was a hub of innovation,” interim Airport General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari told attendees at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta during the July 17 welcome.

    Bheodari said Hartsfield-Jackson remains on the forefront of change since ATL’s revolutionary design of its passenger terminal in 1980. Nearly 40 years later, he said, the Airport continues to search for new ways to enhance operational efficiencies and improve the customer experience.

    With 220 attendees, the conference held sessions featuring “smart” technology in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, biometrics lessons and even an Airport Shark Tank.

    During the forum’s opening keynote, emerging technology expert and author Ian Khan stressed that airports must activate a value-creation attitude.

    “We always talk about the future as if it is not here yet … the future is tomorrow,” Khan said to industry executives. “All of you here are creating and making decisions that will shape everything that will happen in your facilities and in your world tomorrow. “

    The three-time TEDx speaker is convinced that robots, big data and automation will drive the future.

    ATL Innovation and Performance Manager Dawn Gregory said the Airport’s innovative ideas can emerge from a host of sources.

    “What I’ve tried to do is create an ecosystem of collaborators ranging from incubators, educational institutions … and organizations to keep a pulse check of what’s going on,” Gregory said during the airport roundtable.

    ATL’s innovation team is exploring multimodal transportation connections throughout the up-and-coming Aerotropolis Atlanta, augmented reality for vision-impaired passengers, and vertical takeoff and landing of aircraft, which Uber Air is developing.

    Innovation, Bheodari said, questions conventional wisdom, seeks solutions and “inspires us to look beyond what is, to imagine what is possible.”

    “We must look out on the horizon,” he said, “and explore ways to deliver new value to our customers.”

  • New Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot saves energy, reduces traffic

    New Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot saves energy, reduces traffic

    The new Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot accommodates drivers of commercial vehicles, including taxis, shuttles and limos.

     

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Dec. 22 officially opened its Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot, the first completed facility under the ATLNext capital improvement program and the first City-owned building to house a solar production facility.

    This solar array is expected to generate annually about 100,000-kilowatt hours of electricity, which will be used to help power the new CV Hold Lot facility. Given this and other features, the facility is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, furthering the City’s and Hartsfield-Jackson’s commitment to resource conservation and operational savings.

    ”Hartsfield-Jackson is aiming to become one of the greenest airports on the planet,” Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. said. “With this project, we take one more important step toward that milestone.”

    As a staging area for commercial vehicles – including taxis, shuttles, commercial buses, local/regional shared rides and limos – the 4,500-square-foot facility houses a lounge for drivers and Ground Transportation’s administrative offices.

    Energy conservation was a major focus throughout the project. Construction efforts resulted in more than 90 percent of total waste materials being recycled. The facility controls lighting with LEDs and dynamic glazing, windows that automatically darken with the sun’s intensity to reduce heat and glare. Its landscape was designed to thrive without permanent irrigation, and low-volatile organic compound construction materials safeguard indoor air quality.

    New roadways and a “flyover” bridge allow convenient access to the lot, reducing vehicle congestion on roads leading to the Domestic Terminal. This, in turn, can reduce vehicle emissions and expedite passenger pick-up and drop off.

    The CV Hold Lot is open daily from 4 a.m. – 2 a.m. and accommodates 300 taxis and 100 CV spaces. The previous hold lot will undergo demolition for the planned InterContinental Hotel and additional commercial development.

  • 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 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.

     

  • 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, 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.

     

  • GreeningATL Excellence Awards honors sustainability efforts of partners, individuals

    GreeningATL Excellence Awards honors sustainability efforts of partners, individuals

    Concessionaire Delaware North took home the Footprint & Community Impact Award at the third annual GreeningATL Excellence Awards. Presented by event organizer Resilience and Sustainability Manager Liza Milagro and Airport Deputy General Manager Balram Bheodari. ©2017 Decisive Moment Event Photography

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    It was easy being green at the third annual GreeningATL Excellence Awards on April 21.

    Department of Aviation leaders and ATL stakeholders gathered at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway to celebrate the sustainability successes of the past year and honor individuals and companies that have advanced the triple-bottom line: economic, social and environmental.

    Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. shared ATL’s sustainability initiatives underway or on track, including the Sustainable Food Court Initiative, Green Acres ATL Energy Park and electric vehicle charging stations. He also looked to the future, underscoring that the Airport’s 20-year capital improvement program ATLNext will incorporate sustainability and efficiency into each project.

    “We welcome the chance to grow sustainably, balancing our constantly expanding operations with a laser-like focus on preserving the environment,” Council said. “And with the help of everyone … I know we can achieve even more on our journey to become one of the world’s greenest airports.”

    Winners are as follows:

     

    NAME/COMPANY CATEGORY
    Trilogyfm Energy Conservation and Efficiency
    Cofely-MiJoy Joint Venture Materials & Resources
    Delaware North Footprint & Community Impact
    ATLNext EV Charging Station Team, Department of Aviation Sustainability Innovation
    The Hertz Corp. Waste Management
    Revolution Bag Supply Chain
    Superior Essex Supply Chain (Honorable Mention)
    The Hertz Corp. Product Innovation
    Sheryl Mattocks, Department of Aviation Community Leader
    Tung Tran, Delaware North Eco-Employee of the Year
    Isis Crowder, Department of Aviation Eco-Employee of the Year
    Kenny Wright, Department of Aviation Eco-Employee of the Year
    Gwen Grant, Department of Aviation Eco-Employee of the Year
    Department of Aviation Maintenance division EcoDistrict Leaders of Change

     

  • Three-day conference focuses on sustainability

    Three-day conference focuses on sustainability

    Three-day conference focuses on sustainability

    By Shane Blatt
    Senior Public Relations Manager

    Sustainability and asset management took center stage Wednesday, June 22 at the kickoff of the second annual International Sustainable Asset Management (ISAM) Conference.

    The three-day conference, hosted by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in partnership with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), serves as a platform for introducing best practices, showcasing new technologies, and offering training and networking opportunities within the sustainable asset management communities.

    For Hartsfield-Jackson, the conference underscores ATL’s commitment to environmental stewardship in its quest to become the greenest airport on the planet.

    “Our guiding principles are clear: We are laser-focused on striking an effective balance between environmental sustainability, economic stability as well as social responsibility,” interim Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council Jr. told dozens of conference attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center.

    That’s no easy feat. After all, as the world’s most traveled airport, Hartsfield-Jackson in 2015 handled more than 100 million passengers, the most of any other airport in a single year. Naturally, such high passenger counts put “stress and strain” on ATL’s facilities and assets, Council said.

    “But as usual, this team steps up to these kinds of challenges,” he said. “We welcome the chance to grow sustainably, balancing our constantly expanding operations with a deep commitment to preserving the environment.”

    The Airport has incorporated a series of green initiatives, from installing LED lighting on the airfield to retrofitting passenger terminal and concourse restrooms with low-flow water and toilet fixtures. ATL also has set in motion plans for the Green Acres ATL Energy Park. This first-of-its-kind facility will enable the recycling and reuse of 90 percent of the Airport’s waste.

    Over the next three days, the ISAM Conference will demonstrate the synergy between asset management and sustainability while recognizing the successes and challenges of integrating such practices globally and locally. Information sessions will highlight everything from sustainable operations and environmental awareness to total cost of ownership and professional development.

    Ultimately, Conference Chairman Aaron Davis said, ISAM 2016 hopes to engage the facility management, asset management and sustainability professions in a “close-knit discussion.”

    “What you’ll find is that we all have the same issues and the same problems, and having different solutions is important,” said Davis, ATL’s senior asset manager.

    The conference ends Friday morning with an information session about ATLNext, the Airport’s $6 billion capital improvement program, followed by an optional tour of Hartsfield-Jackson’s facilities.