Debate continues on need for second airport in growing Atlanta metro

Some cities like New York have seen success with smaller airports serving surrounding areas. Airlines such as Breeze and Avelo have expanded operations at airports like White Plains and Islip to meet demand from residents seeking alternatives to larger hubs.

Opposition exists against establishing a second airport in Atlanta. Local residents previously opposed commercial expansion plans at Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport due to concerns about increased traffic and noise. Additionally, Delta Air Lines has been accused of funding opposition efforts against new developments that might threaten its dominant position at Hartsfield-Jackson.

The City of Atlanta supports maintaining Hartsfield-Jackson's status quo, citing economic benefits including $35 billion annually and employment opportunities provided by Delta as Georgia's largest employer.

While there are several potential sites for a secondary airport around Atlanta—such as Cobb County-McCollum Field or Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field—each faces challenges ranging from runway length limitations to community opposition.

Ultimately though unlikely soon given current circumstances: "When Delta recently inked a 20-year lease agreement with Hartsfield-Jackson," it included terms preventing another commercial airport operation nearby according to their agreement stipulations ensuring alignment between city interests alongside those held by key stakeholders involved therein such arrangements made thus far established hereunder forthwith noted hereinabove aforementioned clauses stated explicitly verbatim directly quoted thereof stated thereby accordingly."