Runway Extension For Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has gained approval to extend one of its runway, in order to meet future capacity expectations.
Officials were given permission by the Atlanta City Council's Transport Committee on Wednesday to begin work to lengthen Atlanta's runway 9L 27R.
The runway extension at Atlanta will cost $3 million for the design phase.
The project will involve adding 500 feet to the runway's eastern end, and possibly 900 feet on the western end. Currently, the runway measures 11,980 feet.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson has five runways. According to Airport Council International it is the world's busiest airport by passenger numbers, handling 89.3 million passengers during 2007.
Delta and Northwest Merger
Atlanta has decided to expand the runway in order to meet the anticipated increase in flights once Delta Air Lines and Northwest merge.
The two airlines have agreed to join forces, under the Delta name, to become the world's largest airline.
Although the Delta-Northwest merger has yet to be approved, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson is expected to see some of Northwest's flight from its Detroit base transfer to Atlanta.
"We expect more large aircraft to be moved here from Detroit [after the merger]," said the airport's Deputy General Manager, Mario Diaz.
Indeed, it was Delta Air Lines itself which requested Atlanta extend its runway. The airline said the merger would mean the airline would be operating more long haul services, meaning Atlanta will be handling larger aircraft, necessitating the runway extension.
Airport airport officials say they want the extension complete by 2009.
Source - Airport International's US Correspondent
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