Poor Economy Slows Atlanta Airport Project

The recession isn't the only problem for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport that threatens construction on its long-delayed international terminal.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines warns that rising costs at the airport raise questions about the size of the carrier's future operations there. The warning comes as Delta prepares for talks with airport officials on new airline leases.

Hartsfield-Jackson's existing 30-year airline agreements expire next year, and formal talks are expected to begin in the next couple of months.

Airport spokesman John Kennedy says construction may likely be halted anyway in the next few weeks due to tight credit markets.

The $1.6 billion project is three years behind schedule. The latest projection is for a 2012 opening.
---
Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
http://www.ajc.com

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Hartsfield-Jackson.

Macon gets second airline

Over the weekend a second airline began flying from Macon to Atlanta.
Wings Air follows Georgia Skies that began flying out of Macon in September. Wings Air also flies from Athens to Atlanta. The airline uses nine-passenger planes to make the thirty minute flight.
Wings Air just reached an agreement with American Airlines to handle its ground operations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The airline flies into Atlanta using the "T" gates.
Right now Wings Air only accepts carry on baggage. The two airlines replace Atlantic Southeast Airlines that pulled out of Macon citing a lack of passengers.

Delta flight returns to Hartsfield-Jackson after loud 'pop'

A Delta jet headed from Atlanta to Lima, Peru, returned to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after the flight crew heard a loud pop.

The crew heard the noise early Sunday morning as the plane was over Florida. The pilot turned the plane around and safely returned to the airport in Atlanta.

Delta officials said a defective seal on an exit door caused the pop. The plane was repaired and is back in service.

The 178 passengers on the plane were switched to other flights.

Click here for more GPB coverage about Delta and here for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

(The Associated Press)

Perdue backs airport gun rights

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue says he believes visitors to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport should be allowed to carry concealed weapons under a bill he signed into law earlier this year. Airport officials say they do not believe the new law – which allows guns in restaurants that serve alcohol, state parks and public transportation - applies to the airport. A gun rights group is challenging that in federal court. Perdue said Monday that the issue will play out in the courts. But he said that the publicly-accessible areas appear to be covered by the law.

International terminal plans unveiled

Today the world got its first look at plans for a new International terminal at Georgia's main airport. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports the 1.2 million square foot terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport would have 12 new international gates and 11-hundred new parking spaces. Passengers also won't have to re-check baggage when they arrive from abroad and continue on a domestic flight. It's set to open in 2011.

Atlanta airport officials: "a really good day"

As people across the state settle-in for Thanksgiving Day meals and celebrations today, officials with Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport reported few flight delays yesterday. The day is traditionally known as the busiest travel day of the year. Security checkpoint lines were reported as moving steadily. Yesterday's travel day was said by an airport spokeswoman to be "a really good day before Thanksgiving".

Atlanta Mayor declines Macon water offer

Atlanta officials say they have no immediate plans to take up Macon on its offer to sell water to Atlanta’s airport. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin had told Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis ‘thanks but no thanks,’ after Ellis suggested Macon could truck in water with the help of volunteer drivers, if needed. Atlanta says buying water from Macon could be considered as an option at some point, but that the city isn’t there yet.

Drought: Macon offers water to ATL airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The city of Macon has offered to sell water to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Mayor Jack Ellis says he discussed the idea with Atlanta officials yesterday and is waiting to hear what their needs are and what storage capacity is available.

Ellis says he was inspired by televised statements from Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin asking residents to conserve water because the lingering drought is threatening the water supply.

The Macon Water Authority says the middle Georgia city has a 6.5 billion gallon reservoir with enough water to supply the area for nearly 500 days.

Click here for comprehensive GPB News coverage of the drought.

(The Associated Press)