ATLANTA — We're getting our first look at new renderings for a multibillion-dollar construction project at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport that could take decades to complete.
A video showcasing the future plans is currently being unveiled during inaugural State of the Airport event at the Georgia World Congress Center Thursday.
The $6 billion project will update the domestic passenger terminal and concourses, and add a sixth runway and a hotel.
"There is no more important economic engine for our region and our state than Hartsfield-Jackson," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said.
Delta Airlines President and CEO Ed Bastian was among those heavily involved in drawing up this plan.
"We're the principal customer. It's our airplanes, strategy," Bastian said. "We're behind the scenes, have to invest in the aircraft and the tools and the technology and the people to make the airport run as well as it does."
The massive capital improvement plan involved dozens of projects from new parking decks, to a new hotel complex to a new cargo facility.
Work begins on concourse renovations later this year. The project accelerates next year with work on parking decks and passenger gates, and the terminal renovation.
Over 55,000 people work at the airport every day and more than 400,000 people are tied to the airport.
Reed told Channel 2 Action News he's confident all the construction will only increase the airport's $32 billion regional impact.
In addition to an aggressive capital improvement plan, the airport is also betting the improvements will lead to more carriers.
Qatar and Turkish airlines are already starting services in Atlanta this spring.
The airport handled 101.5 million passengers last year, more than any other airport in the U.S.
Cox Media Group
