“Hartsfield Jackson International Airport wants The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) 26th Air Cargo Forum & Exposition in Atlanta for 2012,” Robert Kennedy, Assistant General Manager for Operations, Maintenance and Security for HJIA told Air Cargo News/Flying Typers.
     “Hartsfield-Jackson has already hosted, major events for several other world transportation organizations, including ALACAT and also with United Nations affiliate CIFAL Atlanta, the multiple best practice sharing seminars for airport and government officials from around the world,” Mr. Kennedy noted.
     “HJIA is preparing for increased international traffic by planning to add gates, open the international terminal and boost cargo capacity.
     “The airport will see approximately 86.4 million passengers this year, but it was originally built to handle only 55-60 million,” Mr. Kennedy told a recent Atlanta Air Cargo Association luncheon.
     The airport handled better than 700,000 tons of air cargo in 2006 and moves some 250,000 passengers and 2,700 flight operations per day.
     But major up ticks in both categories are continuing as the gateway readies first combination flight connections to China recently awarded to Delta.
     It is thought that 100 million to 120 million passengers are expected annually in the next several years.
     “HJIA’s physical infrastructure has to expand,” Mr. Kennedy said.
     A $6 billion to $7 billion renovation project will include among other improvements expansion of the main terminal by 150 feet and streamlining movement within the terminal complex itself to include ticketing and baggage handling and a rental car facility, that will be attached to the main terminal by a train that will eliminate bus traffic and pollution.
     Mr. Kennedy said 60 to 70 new gates are to be added by 2012 in time for the TIACA show.
     Hartsfield-Jackson experienced 20 percent growth in international traffic in 2006 compared to 2005 and anticipates 18 percent growth in 2007.
     As Delta Air Lines and others add more international flights to China and elsewhere, cargo facilities will likely also need to expand, Mr. Kennedy said. Recognizing that the current cargo facilities are approaching maximum usage, Robert Kennedy, the old cargo hand said that said Hartsfield-Jackson is ramping up plans to add a new (fourth) cargo facility that will add eight cargo positions in 255,000 square feet of warehouse and office area.
     “It just makes sense to do business here.
     “We are a self-sufficient gateway, meaning we are not taxpayer-funded.
     HJIA also charges less for a carrier to operate here than Miami International or LaGuardia Airport and several other major USA airports.
Geoffrey