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Atlanta airport sits atop hidden headwaters: balancing nature with industry

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Atlanta airport sits atop hidden headwaters: balancing nature with industry
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | Facebook

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known as the world's busiest airport, hosts over 275,000 travelers daily. However, few realize that the airport is situated atop the headwaters of Georgia's Flint River. This river, one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States, flows beneath the airport’s runways.

Efforts are underway to integrate this natural feature into development plans around the airport. The initiative called "Finding the Flint," supported by American Rivers, The Conservation Fund, and the Atlanta Regional Commission, seeks to enhance both environmental health and community quality of life. A proposed promenade featuring food vendors and observation decks for plane spotting is part of this vision.

Wildlife strikes remain a concern at major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson. In 2024 alone, over 300 bird strikes were reported there. Measures such as air cannons and landscape alterations are employed to deter birds from flying near aircraft.

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The airport has been undergoing significant expansions under a $6 billion plan initiated in 2016. Notable projects include upgrades to its transit system with new energy-efficient cars expected to be operational by next year and an ongoing expansion of Concourse D set for completion by mid-2029.

Hartsfield-Jackson has consistently ranked as one of the top airports globally in passenger traffic except during 2020 when travel was heavily impacted by COVID-19. The airport's strategic location contributes significantly to its high volume of traffic.

Historically, Hartsfield-Jackson evolved from an abandoned auto racetrack named Candler Field into a major aviation hub. Initially established in 1926 with help from then-Mayor William Hartsfield, it became crucial during World War II and continued growing post-war under subsequent leadership including Maynard Jackson who championed modernization efforts.

Water proximity poses challenges due to wildlife attraction but also offers advantages like sound absorption and emergency landing options exemplified by US Airways Flight 1549’s Hudson River landing.

Despite challenges related to water-adjacent locations or even floating airports like Osaka's Kansai International Airport which faces subsidence issues—water remains integral within aviation history—and initiatives like Finding the Flint aim at leveraging such resources responsibly around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Organizations Included in this History
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