Though some conventions have returned to downtown Atlanta, many organizers are downscaling their events. “Hotel demand is starting to come back,” said Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau chief financial officer Gregory Pierce, but convention business in 2022 is expected to be about 50-70% of 2019 levels.
Cookie Smoak believes a trend toward smaller conventions could benefit the airport area and its smaller convention center.
“We’re definitely going to recover faster than the downtown corridor, particularly because of our size,” said Smoak, president of the Atlanta Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau.
But there are still challenges in attracting business travelers. Hotel occupancy for metro Atlanta, year-to-date, is about 60%, up from 47.7% last year, according to ACVB. In 2019, it was nearly 70%.
Still, the Gateway Center plans to be ready when travel returns to normal. More hotels are still envisioned for the Gateway Center campus, though some have been delayed. An Aloft and Residence Inn dual-branded hotel is expected to begin construction next July behind the BMW training facility there, according to College Park economic development director Artie Jones. But a Sheraton hotel planned pre-COVID for the campus is on hold, Smoak said.
Closer to the airport, a long-planned Hilton that was to be built next to Hartsfield-Jackson’s domestic terminal continues to be delayed as developers scale back their plans for the site.
n","_id":"https://twitter.com/violinwitch/status/1463471446311817216?s=20","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1637784297832,"provider_name":"Twitter","height":null,"type":"oembed_response","_id":"R2SCNHIXRBB27GD65HPYRZ4WBQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637759178716,"type":"text","content":"Those traveling can check security wait times on the airport’s website. Wait times can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. After long lines filled the terminal early Wednesday morning, crowds eased midmorning before picking up again later in the day.","_id":"ADRH6PTSUZDINI756KCKPDSCWI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637779498900,"type":"text","content":"The Transportation Security Administration had been racing to comply with a federal employee vaccine mandate. It said this week that about 93% of its employees were in compliance and that the mandate would not affect holiday travel.","_id":"JNDZ3GRQFVB77MDCBBRSIBUFUE","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"IA7AGYHKH5H4LP7M6TEKNUFYWY","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Holiday travel guide to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/holiday-travel-guide-to-atlantas-hartsfield-jackson-intl-airport/NRKHIB4QVFGNHOJKLXSCJQOWMU/","owner":"sponsored":false,"id":"ajc","address":,"syndication":,"caption":"Lines for security screening at the North checkpoint in the domestic terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport stretched out of the queueing area and down the hallway early Wednesday morning.","source":"system":"photo center","name":"AJC","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":"editor":"photo center","taxonomy":"associated_tasks":[],"type":"image","distributor":"mode":"reference","reference_id":"8aec2b8c-455c-4816-903d-79fc8fdf8019","version":"0.10.3","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":"affiliation":[],"by":["name":"Kelly Yamanouchi ","type":"author","byline":"Kelly Yamanouchi "],"subtitle":"Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson","width":4032,"_id":"RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4","additional_properties":"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/q0m4TfoHZjKOCF3DCJdtBu8wzu8=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","owner":"[email protected]","comments":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/q0m4TfoHZjKOCF3DCJdtBu8wzu8=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/q0m4TfoHZjKOCF3DCJdtBu8wzu8=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/BVNBtgIW0cUm6TgZ_573VY1Kr1Y=/300x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/RXFDBBZ7IJEUDKEFGAUAKXHMB4.JPG","version":0,"originalName":"IMG_1818[1].JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"template_id":594,"galleries":[],"_id":"I6LLLFIP5BGWHOVOMUBZYEPQS4","created_date":"2021-11-24T12:40:21Z","last_updated_date":"2021-11-24T12:40:21Z","height":3024,"image_type":"photograph","_id":"SNVZRD6NRFBFZAH3Y3CFWI2WD4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637759178718,"type":"text","content":"With a bounce-back in travel, AAA expects this year’s Thanksgiving traveler volumes in Georgia, including those going by car and by air, to be 3% shy of 2019 levels. Airline passenger counts are expected to be within 13% of 2019.","_id":"VUVEOJWJ7BG3RC6HESFW7NEQTU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637780472276,"type":"text","content":"“We anticipate that travel may be very close to pre-pandemic levels this holiday, and we are staffed and prepared for the holiday travelers,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a written statement.","_id":"SWVGZ3NFQZCPLDI6SIOR7MOD5E","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"UZ7L65YFQBBCRAA7E6LBLMLEJY","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Airport crowds expected as Thanksgiving travel rebounds","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/airport-crowds-expected-as-thanksgiving-travel-rebounds/A4AXTTSEWRCBHAWQPREHUYI6YI/","_id":"XXHJ6URHWRDS3GU7PNNK7E4BK4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637759178719,"type":"text","content":"More than 2 million travelers have passed through airport security checkpoints nationwide on each of the last six days as holiday travel ramped up, according to Transportation Security Administration data. More than 2.4 million passengers traveled last Friday, setting a record for the period since the COVID-19 pandemic began.","owner":"sponsored":false,"id":"ajc","address":,"syndication":,"caption":"Lines for the main security checkpoint in the domestic terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Nov. 24, 2021 stretched out of the queueing area and into the atrium starting in the early morning hours.","source":"system":"photo center","name":"AJC","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":"editor":"photo center","taxonomy":"associated_tasks":[],"type":"image","distributor":"mode":"reference","reference_id":"8aec2b8c-455c-4816-903d-79fc8fdf8019","version":"0.10.3","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":"affiliation":[],"by":["name":"Kelly Yamanouchi","type":"author","byline":"Kelly Yamanouchi"],"subtitle":"Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson","width":4032,"_id":"KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4","additional_properties":"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/RT5-MHRnCUsuJ---vAG5E_KOSGs=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","owner":"[email protected]","comments":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/RT5-MHRnCUsuJ---vAG5E_KOSGs=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/RT5-MHRnCUsuJ---vAG5E_KOSGs=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/ADYejmNcD25ZvXJLiII9gZa2uF0=/300x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/KJHIPR7DBBEEFNDVZ7HD45YBF4.JPG","version":0,"originalName":"IMG_1847[1].JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"template_id":594,"galleries":[],"_id":"RL2WHLRAJFEZLPIYVMQG44KDRA","created_date":"2021-11-24T12:42:49Z","last_updated_date":"2021-11-24T12:42:49Z","height":3024,"image_type":"photograph","_id":"XXHJ6URHWRDS3GU7PNNK7E4BK4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637759178721,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson itself expects to handle 2.22 million passengers during the Thanksgiving travel period running from last Saturday to next Monday. The airport has had normal operations over the last several days after a gun discharge at the main security checkpoint on Saturday."],"display_date":"2021-11-24T19:17:25.469Z","headlines":"basic":"UPDATE: Thanksgiving travelers fill Atlanta’s airport ","first_publish_date":"2021-11-24T13:17:15.444Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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This month, Delta is operating up to 793 flights a day from Atlanta. In November 2019, Delta operated up to 1,084 flights a day from the city.","_id":"FDGEUQTTOVG4FHGTA2BKR5KH4Q","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274674,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta-based Delta plans to restart service to Munich from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Dec. 13.","_id":"X5AXDMDVVZFGVEK4LHIP3NTTJA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274675,"type":"text","content":"And, on May 1, Delta will resume flights from Atlanta to Milan for the first time since summer 2019.","_id":"5MKVFHV4GNAJ5L3CTJUP4BQRKE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274676,"type":"text","content":"The moves come after U.S. officials on Nov. 8 eased restrictions for travelers from 33 countries if they have proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test results.","_id":"OPB65WANPVAC5MLFTKCLKRID5U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274677,"type":"text","content":"Delta is also increasing its service from Atlanta to its Amsterdam hub to three flights a day, and bumping up its flights from Atlanta to London and Rome to twice daily. Delta’s foreign carrier partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic have restarted most of their flights from Atlanta to Europe.","_id":"K6E4TA2UIVHNZCBMEQ2N2THIVI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274678,"type":"text","content":"Other carriers that suspended flights to Atlanta during the COVID-19 pandemic have all restarted service. And service has been added from Hartsfield-Jackson to some foreign cities. Copa Airlines will launch its first flights from Atlanta on Dec. 12, with a route to Panama City, Panama. Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines, which has opened a flight attendant base in Atlanta, started its first international service from Hartsfield-Jackson this month, with flights to Cancun and Montego Bay.","_id":"OMZEUMXMVJHEZA4ZRENJMVJOEM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274681,"type":"text","content":"Delta’s service from Hartsfield-Jackson now includes hundreds of domestic flights to locations around the country, as well as 38 routes to Latin America, seven trans-Atlantic routes, two routes to Asia and two routes to Canada. By next summer, the airline expects to have 14 trans-Atlantic routes.","_id":"LTQV7PCX2ZBPVP76WTTTC4DFKY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274682,"type":"text","content":"“With the lifting of restrictions to the U.S. and abroad, plus growing vaccination rates and tremendous pent-up demand, travel to Europe is expected to surge next summer,” Delta senior vice president of network planning Joe Esposito said in a written statement.","_id":"HCOSM2SGIBGTFBLH2MI36L7AWA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274684,"type":"text","content":"Among the international routes Delta hasn’t yet added back to its route map are flights from Atlanta to: Brussels; Dusseldorf and Stuttgart, Germany; Zurich; Shanghai; Vancouver, Canada; Havana; Grenada; Cozumel, Mexico; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Cartagena, Colombia; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Managua, Nicaragua; Freeport, Bahamas; and Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It tentatively aims to restart service to Grand Cayman next March.","_id":"MHNDXU4ICBF4FNRJFL5HFNEZTA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274685,"type":"text","content":"The airline said it continues to monitor demand and will adjust its schedule accordingly.","_id":"57PAC5G65ZDP3HNZCMCLRAWX7U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274686,"type":"text","content":"But for the Atlanta-Shanghai route, Delta said travel to China is still limited by government restrictions and it now only has approval to fly there from Seattle and Detroit.","_id":"MHNDXU4ICBF4FNRJFL5HFNEZTA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637701274687,"type":"text","content":"And Delta said the effects of Hurricane Dorian continue to prevent its flights to Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas."],"display_date":"2021-11-24T11:00:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Delta resuming more, but not all, international routes","first_publish_date":"2021-11-24T11:00:00Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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Jackson Jr. International Terminal","width":2048,"caption":"Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson. HYOSUB SHIN / [email protected]","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/YV5WQCE3GFHTETL7JAJL3B2UGI.jpg","height":1363,"canonical_url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/delta-resuming-more-but-not-all-international-routes/ARXNWKEI6FBWXBP6SPGU6OGBCU/","_id":"ARXNWKEI6FBWXBP6SPGU6OGBCU"},{"content_elements":["_id":"UJQXTDXS25AUJE4I5FO4RGYIXI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623697,"type":"text","content":"The Transportation Security Administration has procedures in place at airport checkpoints to prevent accidental weapon discharges like the one that sent passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson International scrambling on Saturday. But that protocol wasn’t followed because it wasn’t immediately clear from X-ray images that TSA officers were dealing with a firearm.","_id":"PCXGPYXTARBETD2FMHZ5JJPMSQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637608536036,"type":"text","content":"TSA officers who detect a gun in an X-ray machine should close down the lane, leave the bag where it is and alert police.","_id":"2WOM4GQRTFBKRG6WOMKLA5LS3M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623700,"type":"text","content":"“Actually, the police remove the carry-on bag from the X-ray machines, because we don’t even want our TSA officers to handle the firearms because that’s just an accident waiting to happen,” TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein told WDVM TV in Washington last month.","_id":"XJKDLTTTKJGFLL7COHLU2CPGM4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623701,"type":"text","content":"But TSA said in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the image the X-ray operator saw at Hartsfield-Jackson on Saturday afternoon “was not conclusive for a firearm, but was flagged as a prohibited item requiring additional screening by a TSA officer.”","_id":"JNYWXJ6JONB3BDJWJGZDTG7RHA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623702,"type":"text","content":"A TSA officer began searching the bag, and the passenger was advised not to touch it. But the passenger “lunged into the bag and grabbed a firearm, at which point it discharged,” the agency said in a statement issued Saturday.","_id":"IFRCLSAAEFEFZHJVVRNWDIU7SE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623703,"type":"text","content":"The passenger then fled the area with the gun and went out an airport exit, according to officials. Police are searching for the suspect.","_id":"PTTTUR5R2NDOND2LKY2YWSQDQI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623704,"type":"text","content":"TSA has raised an alarm about an increasing number of guns being discovered at airport screenings.","_id":"4I4EKUTDZNB4JPNKFILQJRUJFQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623705,"type":"text","content":"“Firearms, particularly loaded firearms, introduce an unnecessary risk at checkpoints,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.","_id":"NP5GGHB3WBFI7PXBC7X7CLLNKA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623706,"type":"text","content":"Last month, the agency announced that a record number of firearms were uncovered at airport security checkpoints nationwide in the first nine months of 2021.","_id":"NP5GGHB3WBFI7PXBC7X7CLLNKA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623706,"type":"text","content":"Passengers are not allowed to take guns through airport security checkpoints or onto planes. However, a 2014 Georgia law allows them in the pre-security area of the terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.","_id":"XKAWSFS6NFAAPOEFF46KFQOLEY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623707,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson had a record 391 firearms found at security checkpoints from January through Oct. 3, more than any other airport in the country. That’s up from 220 last year when passenger counts were down 60%, and up from 323 in all of 2019.","_id":"BCLNIFPKBJGB5IGUA2VLIQCDRM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637606623709,"type":"text","content":"From January through early October, TSA had stopped 30 firearms per million passengers screened at Hartsfield-Jackson checkpoints. That’s more than twice the national rate of 11 firearms per million passengers screened in that period."],"display_date":"2021-11-22T20:55:23.752Z","headlines":"basic":"Airport gun discharge occurred despite TSA safety protocols","first_publish_date":"2021-11-22T20:55:23.752Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. From the AJC","_id":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"/news","default":"/news","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/C7EFPF452Z3HUEF3AW4LBU72WY.jpg","height":2000,"canonical_url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/airport-gun-discharge-occurred-despite-tsa-safety-protocols/5FZJTQXBTJD6DHCW6GZXM2MFJE/","_id":"5FZJTQXBTJD6DHCW6GZXM2MFJE"},{"content_elements":["_id":"4734QKLQ2BDLFKMIZMYC4VG7ME","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced civil penalties in eight incidents this year involving unruly passengers and alcohol.","_id":"YPHBE3T2YBAMJHZCNE5FZIBUVQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637607466488,"type":"text","content":"The FAA says it has received nearly 300 reports of passenger disturbances due to alcohol and intoxication so far in 2021.","_id":"FTZFTIDM5VAMHKWUKUWHACTCIA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231765,"type":"text","content":"Disturbances on planes are rare. But the number spiked when the FAA instituted a “zero tolerance” policy for unruly behavior on planes and the federal government began requiring masks on planes in January 2021. Incidents have decreased since earlier this year.","_id":"U35DYWESR5F5FPTKYMBN6WJY4E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231764,"type":"text","content":"The FAA doesn’t have the authority to criminally prosecute people, but refers some cases to the U.S. Department of Justice to be considered for federal criminal prosecution. Earlier this month, the FAA and DOJ said 37 passengers have been referred for federal charges this year.","_id":"VIZWYF2U4VHVNGW5RNYFUCVJDI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637605925998,"type":"text","content":"Among the incidents, a Southwest Airlines passenger was fined $40,823 for bringing alcohol on board and drinking it even after being told it wasn’t allowed, the FAA said. The passenger, who was flying from San Jose, Calif., to San Diego, then allegedly sexually assaulted a flight attendant and smoked marijuana in the lavatory, the agency said. Police booked the passenger with resisting arrest and public intoxication.","_id":"HSOXMJMDNVCFPCT54STLGVJH3A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231767,"type":"text","content":"The FAA has raised concerns about airport concessionaires selling “to-go” cups of alcohol. At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, concessionaires’ liquor licenses do not allow customers to carry an alcoholic drink out of the restaurant.","_id":"2AV7WLXUBJD7RHXN2CEZAGAKJE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637605926002,"type":"text","content":"In another incident, a Delta Air Lines flight from Fort Myers, Fla. to Detroit was diverted to Atlanta after a passenger “repeatedly took off his facemask” after being told by crews to keep it on, the FAA said. The passenger then allegedly swore at other passengers and accused them of stealing from him. According to the FAA, he yelled, “This is America. This is free speech.”","_id":"XBDL5C3CJFHV5HVPCL623GPWYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637605926003,"type":"text","content":"The flight arrived 45 minutes late in Detroit because of the diversion. The FAA is levying a $24,000 fine against the passenger.","_id":"PWZ2MADB5JAYNMJKFY6RBFO6EQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231768,"type":"text","content":"A Delta flight to Atlanta from San Francisco was diverted to Las Vegas in another incident involving alcohol. A passenger was told she wasn’t allowed to drink the mini bottles of alcohol she had brought on the plane. But, instead of stopping, the woman downed the bottle, the FAA said. She “pulled her mask down, came very close to the flight attendant’s face, demanded the flight attendant’s name and employee number, and began filming the flight attendant,” the FAA alleges. The FAA fined the passenger $16,000.","_id":"IOAVD25EHRBQFJBIK67DLD7XBA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231769,"type":"text","content":"In other disturbances, passengers are accused of threatening flight attendants and yelling profanities at them.","_id":"M7RSMGXJWRGJTCZ6YUS5HX6OWI","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"7IKV4WFNSNH7DBN3BM7CIVSTDE","type":"divider","_id":"ZFNXKHEVUBEDBD5MWTSSNBP7KY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231772,"type":"text","content":"Passengers penalized by the FAA can:","list_type":"unordered","_id":"GKIYJ6MEOZHIZHT3YHHXXZ3G3A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231773,"type":"list","items":["_id":"EQCE2ZC6FBBWZB7Y7GMLHKAS6U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231773,"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Pay the full penalty","_id":"ORQGSKFXCFDNJONLVTT6OU7NBA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231774,"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Dispute the accusation, or whether it warrants the penalty.","_id":"RNDQHV2WCJG43NOFWUHGXTFXKI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231775,"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Ask to meet with the FAA to discuss the case","_id":"XNMDB56HORG3PJ5RJR7PQ3QRQM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231776,"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Request a hearing with an administrative law judge, appeal the judge’s decision to the FAA administrator, and appeal the administrator’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals.","_id":"ALFT3BZB6ZBXDMZ7ABTGJC7M5M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231777,"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Provide documentation showing he or she is financially unable to pay the fine."],"_id":"MYYA5M4WKZB6NP3X3ZLT2IZ3YE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637602231778,"type":"text","content":"If a passenger does not pay a fine, the FAA will refer the case to the U.S. Department of Treasury for collection."],"display_date":"2021-11-22T20:31:49.765Z","headlines":"basic":"FAA fining passengers for alcohol-fueled behavior on planes","first_publish_date":"2021-11-22T20:31:49.765Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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The holiday rush will be one of the biggest tests for airlines, which have struggled with staffing shortages and occasional operational meltdowns this year. “We expect it to be very busy and even a bit frenetic at times,” said Priceline CEO Brett Keller during a Washington Post Live event this week. With hotels and airlines trying to re-staff after pandemic cutbacks, “it’s going to be a bit crazy this year.” Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday afterward are expected to be the busiest days of the Thanksgiving period, according to travel experts.rAAA predicts 1.6 million people in Georgia will travel for Thanksgiving, including more than 108,000 taking flights. That will bring total traveler counts to a level just 3% shy of 2019 levels, with airline passenger counts within 13% of 2019 levels. Domestic leisure air travel has almost completely recovered to 2019 levels, according to AAA and travel experts. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines expects to handle as many as 5.6 million passengers from this Friday through the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, nearly three times the 2.2 million it saw during the holiday period last year but still short of the 6.3 million for Thanksgiving 2019. ( John Spink / [email protected])rr","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/VOO3J5K5N7WMO6KHDYWOWFYVTQ.jpg","height":3648,"canonical_url":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog/faa-fining-passengers-for-alcohol-fueled-behavior-on-planes/3NWD34NG6RAWDPN2BFTFZODZ74/","_id":"3NWD34NG6RAWDPN2BFTFZODZ74"},{"content_elements":["_id":"ZYPDK5ISJBAVFFYZRC5YVMC25Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"Construction of a $30 million hotel facility near Hartsfield-Jackson International airport has finally started. It’s a year later than anticipated, but the opening might come at just the right time, the developer says.","_id":"3ZHVFWJBFZFOHP3ZZJVUR2DBF4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637348576562,"type":"text","content":"Trouble finding a general contractor during the pandemic caused the first delays. And supply chain headaches might lead to more. But hotel developer Aziz Dhanani said he hopes that by the time he opens Home2 Suites and Tru hotel, travel will be nearly recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels.","_id":"BHOCPQW4F5HY7L6XFG42SP5WOI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073688,"type":"text","content":"Dhanani, CEO of Premier Petroleum Hospitality, expects the dual-branded 148-room extended-stay Home2 Suites and 105-room budget-oriented Tru to open for business in early 2023. Originally, the hotels were supposed to open in early 2022.","_id":"FUFFOX3SRJBV3MD2LRMP3BE274","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073689,"type":"text","content":"Dhanani expects to draw business from airline crews, people in town for sports events at the Gateway Center Arena and other travelers.","_id":"FUFFOX3SRJBV3MD2LRMP3BE274","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073689,"type":"text","content":"The project will add to the cluster of hotels already located at the Gateway Center. They include a Marriott, SpringHill Suites, Renaissance and AC Hotel.","_id":"E226YQEZBNA67INB6MOYFK2RTQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073692,"type":"text","content":"Though some conventions have returned to downtown Atlanta, many organizers are downscaling their events. “Hotel demand is starting to come back,” said Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau chief financial officer Gregory Pierce, but convention business in 2022 is expected to be about 50-70% of 2019 levels.","_id":"23IWRN2G4RGEBO25L66CAE6JW4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073690,"type":"text","content":"Cookie Smoak believes a trend toward smaller conventions could benefit the airport area and its smaller convention center.","_id":"WWT2XSQR3NFDLKBLMXM3Z362DY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073694,"type":"text","content":"“We’re definitely going to recover faster than the downtown corridor, particularly because of our size,” said Smoak, president of the Atlanta Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau.","_id":"BS4JRVYBTVFP3MOL42VGSPUH64","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073695,"type":"text","content":"But there are still challenges in attracting business travelers. Hotel occupancy for metro Atlanta, year-to-date, is about 60%, up from 47.7% last year, according to ACVB. In 2019, it was nearly 70%.","_id":"AXQCBX5MMJDR3HWCLM22QQTMTY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073696,"type":"text","content":"Still, the Gateway Center plans to be ready when travel returns to normal. More hotels are still envisioned for the Gateway Center campus, though some have been delayed. An Aloft and Residence Inn dual-branded hotel is expected to begin construction next July behind the BMW training facility there, according to College Park economic development director Artie Jones. But a Sheraton hotel planned pre-COVID for the campus is on hold, Smoak said.","_id":"KFFKVMK5HZFKFCSIAJQQRLQSCI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637343073697,"type":"text","content":"Closer to the airport, a long-planned Hilton that was to be built next to Hartsfield-Jackson’s domestic terminal continues to be delayed as developers scale back their plans for the site."],"display_date":"2021-11-22T11:00:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Airport hotels expand in face of pandemic challenges","first_publish_date":"2021-11-22T11:00:00Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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Source: Premier Petroleum Hospitality","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/7XMP23KNSRBLLPKN4CYTLGHDFE.jpg","height":1148,"canonical_url":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog/airport-hotels-expand-in-face-of-pandemic-challenges/NYDQ5XNJZNGCDBTMG3S5L53YHA/","_id":"NYDQ5XNJZNGCDBTMG3S5L53YHA"},{"content_elements":["_id":"Y523BGPDL5DTNCGTUFNXQCS2AE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"Last year, almost as many Americans traveled by car during Thanksgiving as before the pandemic.","_id":"CBWN5GXYKNHQRK6TPLG2IHQ2BI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637179358935,"type":"text","content":"This year, they also are taking to the skies.","_id":"J5WDKNS6FRGWLBKAN64UXDQKZU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070591,"type":"text","content":"Next week’s holiday rush will be a major test for airlines, which have struggled with staffing shortages and occasional operational meltdowns in recent months as traffic rebounded after plunging last year.","_id":"MNAGVF5KSZFZ3IR5L4CJNFEAMA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637156869151,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport expects 2.22 million passengers for the Thanksgiving travel period between this Saturday and the Monday after the holiday.","_id":"BZ26PAFKCNFU7B7ZDZRZMHBPUI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985924,"type":"text","content":"That’s still below the 2.6 million people who passed through the terminals in Thanksgiving 2019, but up sharply from about 1.6 million last year. ","_id":"74AII73UZ5FMFK3AKP2OOAHOHM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637171181830,"type":"text","content":"“We’re bouncing back,” said Hartsfield-Jackson senior deputy general manager Michael Smith, adding airport officials expect “a very busy” Thanksgiving holiday weekend.","_id":"54SN6YM3NNCKTORN6KWNPVM6SU","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"M7BT34GNIZBONAIEIWZRPBHAHQ","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Holiday travel guide to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/holiday-travel-guide-to-atlantas-hartsfield-jackson-intl-airport/NRKHIB4QVFGNHOJKLXSCJQOWMU/","_id":"GZ2LKS5NWRBUNGSHWFKBTRWCYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637155738709,"type":"text","content":"Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday afterward are expected to be the busiest days of the Thanksgiving period.","_id":"DTXIWONTXRB4BMSPCBWZTWP7AQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985930,"type":"text","content":"After staying home during the lockdowns early in the pandemic, many people ventured out last Thanksgiving to visit families in other cities, but they went by car and avoided planes.","_id":"YGHRIUK6XZCG7PMUYOY6J7ON4U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637156869155,"type":"text","content":"AAA predicts 1.6 million people in Georgia will travel this Thanksgiving, including more than 108,000 taking flights. That will bring total traveler counts to just 3% shy of 2019, with airline passenger counts within 13% of 2019. Domestic leisure air travel has almost completely recovered, according to travel experts, while business and international travel lag.","_id":"DTXIWONTXRB4BMSPCBWZTWP7AQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985930,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines expects to handle as many as 5.6 million passengers across its flight network from this Friday through the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. That is more than double the 2.2 million last year but still short of the 6.3 million for Thanksgiving 2019.","_id":"7UOOUWJYNVFCZM7OR4VIVAVOGI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070592,"type":"text","content":"Delta has worked for months to ramp up its workforce for the return of travelers, but acknowledged that it fell short in some areas earlier this year, leading to hours-long waits on customer service phone lines and headquarters employees called on to help staff and clean airport lounges.","_id":"OXY5OUWZ2JAOXISBRPDO2X66YI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070593,"type":"text","content":"Southwest Airlines, the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson, has had bouts of mass cancellations amid staffing shortages and other issues. Spirit Airlines also had hundreds of flight cancellations that frustrated passengers over several days in August.","_id":"DUMF626F4ZF67C7V4HDJRZ5B4A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070594,"type":"text","content":"Delta says it has been working to meet the increased demand this year by hiring thousands of workers, including flight attendants and those in reservations, airport customer service, wheelchair staffing and cleaning.","_id":"QQZCU6PMPNHRXMA5BB3YQSDEZI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637171181840,"type":"text","content":"Nationally, AAA expects 53.4 million travelers, including 4.2 million traveling by air.","_id":"LM5ZVGBKIBHHFHLSTA6S6VIIUM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985937,"type":"text","content":"Travel by car declined by 11% last Thanksgiving and is expected to be just 3% short of 2019 levels nationally this year. Air travel fell by 50% last Thanksgiving, but the Fourth of July holiday this year brought near-record travel volumes.","_id":"BZJYKDGXO5DEJJA2FA263ABWBM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637171181841,"type":"text","content":"The Transportation Security Administration is adding more staff to help with crowds. The agency, with starting pay of $17.39 an hour here, has been able to continually hire staff, said Robert Spinden, TSA’s federal security director in Atlanta.","_id":"RLWWBUNSWRFAHIN5OVCUFKD4V4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985939,"type":"text","content":"A job listing on usajobs.gov says the agency has “MANY vacancies” in Atlanta. The agency also is under a Nov. 22 deadline for federal employees to be vaccinated. Spinden said he does “not anticipate that the vaccination mandate will have any impact on our ability to staff for Thanksgiving.”","_id":"SKVDE7TJBVGCVFUUVRLN6JUUYE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070596,"type":"text","content":"Still, travelers should plan for crowds and congestion on roads and in airports, longer lines and waits to get through TSA security checkpoints, according to AAA vice president of travel Debbie Haas.","_id":"OLCPQLNM7NH3TJWJIDMMJDIE3Y","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"4VMNUOECSBHWNOU7ZSYDDTGQK4","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Uber, Lyft pickup zone to open at Hartsfield-Jackson","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/uber-lyft-pickup-zone-to-open-at-hartsfield-jackson/L4FB2WYSRRCDJIJJS7SZDRADEM/","_id":"U7YK44UAEBBATIV7VUGTVDEH2U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070597,"type":"text","content":"In spite of the hike in traffic and overall U.S inflation hitting a three-decade high, average lowest air fares are still 27.3% below last year, according to AAA. But mid-range hotel room rates have increased about 39% from last year, and car rental prices remain high, at $98 a day on average, amid a shortage of vehicles.","_id":"2T7NKG33NNDFVMUHPX3IYLRGPY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012779605,"type":"text","content":"One other trend: unruly passenger incidents, which spiked earlier in the pandemic after the rollout of a mask mandate.","_id":"PSPU3OGXWJEV5JRAJ4BKSQYGJ4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637180985944,"type":"text","content":"Such incidents are still rare, but “anxiety is high” on planes, said Association of Flight Attendants union president Sara Nelson during a Washington Post Live event this week. That’s in part because by boarding a flight, “people are doing something they haven’t done for a long time,” she said.","_id":"FR2HNSNYQNEGTKILTKBBI2GJRM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637012070601,"type":"text","content":"
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"],"display_date":"2021-11-17T21:31:50.169Z","headlines":"basic":"Airport crowds expected as Thanksgiving travel rebounds","first_publish_date":"2021-11-17T21:31:50.169Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. From the AJC","_id":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"/news","default":"/news","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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The airport also has added facilities, including new parking options and pedestrian bridges.","_id":"Y54VT23KYBAG7MXYQJPSKFFRCQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338538,"type":"text","content":"Here’s a guide on the latest updates, so if you fly, you’re prepared to navigate the Atlanta airport and get to your destination safely.","level":1,"_id":"MZAJAT7ZYNHPVP3OFWD2N2VY3M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338540,"type":"header","content":"COVID-19 MEASURES","_id":"WJHYB3ZD6VCPLB2WQQRWG4VVKQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338536,"type":"text","content":"The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid travel if possible, but that those who are fully vaccinated can safely travel within the United States. The CDC recommends avoiding travel to a number of international destinations with high COVID-19 levels, listed at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/noticescovid19.","_id":"ZD3K4D3HE5HRPNFMNOJ5YEL52Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636985473576,"type":"text","content":"Masks are still federally required in airports and on planes, as well as on buses, trains and other forms of public transportation through Jan. 18, 2022.","_id":"EN5JAG2LC5BLNGRKZCFIHWVARQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338537,"type":"text","content":"Major carriers including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines have discontinued many of their change fees, making it easier for people to change their travel plans.","level":2,"_id":"VYWGDQI4QNHZPPB6EMJSACZXQQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637066439105,"type":"header","content":"WHAT TO PACK","_id":"45HRJUPIKRCQ7M6YSESCLGJ4AM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338542,"type":"text","content":"Bring a mask, since masks are required in the airport and on planes. For a multi-day trip, bring an extra mask or two in case you lose one, or cough or sneeze into one. Hartsfield-Jackson will provide a free mask on request at the main security checkpoint if you forget yours.","_id":"J3SMZ6XOIBHZJMXJ4BE547INWU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338544,"type":"text","content":"The Transportation Security Administration allows extra flexibility for hand sanitizer, permitting one bottle of up to 12 oz. of hand sanitizer per passenger in carry-on bags. You will need to allow extra time at security for the bottle to be screened separately, since it’s larger than the typical limit of 3.4 oz. on other liquids.","_id":"ZTCUVI3GOVBX3CUX65FDI4NMJQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338545,"type":"text","content":"You can also bring disinfecting wipes in carry-on bags to wipe down surfaces in the airport or on the plane, if desired.","_id":"G6YG6ZJAFVCQ7J3FFL6K7YC2VU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1636740338546,"type":"text","content":"Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are also permitted in checked bags.","_id":"RTX7YRP7GNGPBERALWSKEX6634","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637172167651,"type":"text","content":"If you have a vaccination card, consider bringing a copy of it with you or keeping an image of the card on your phone, in case any restaurants or venues you visit during your trip require it.","_id":"NHWPR55JDRG3LG6MQCIM2DFUOA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1637172167652,"type":"text","content":"Make sure you don’t pack prohibited weapons or other items in your bags. You can check TSA’s website to learn what’s prohibited.","_id":"QPD3GOZR7RFA5DP4M7BCUT7H6I","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"I7FAQZEPOZFONDD4AGS6FQ3ADI","type":"raw_html","content":"
"],"display_date":"2021-11-05T10:00:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Delta sees 450% increase in bookings from outside U.S. as travel ban lifts","first_publish_date":"2021-11-05T10:00:00Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. From the AJC","_id":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"/news","default":"/news","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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Curtis Compton [email protected]","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/BHZM2CCCPBVKJ64WWFBVBTEPOM.jpg","height":1535,"canonical_url":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog/delta-sees-450-increase-in-bookings-from-outside-us-as-travel-ban-lifts/KXV4DY2MNRAX3E7BWRIW7SKHOE/","_id":"KXV4DY2MNRAX3E7BWRIW7SKHOE"},{"content_elements":["_id":"43KISDR4WFCP7CZLQWFS5JTIJI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"Panama-based Copa Airlines plans to start flying to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport next month.","_id":"HY4JNGJBPJCVJKEJVCZFDJG4DM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727021,"type":"text","content":"The airline is scheduled to begin operating four flights a week between Atlanta and Panama City, Panama on Dec. 12.","_id":"TGGDEBT6U5HCHITXIQF3SCGTDQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727022,"type":"text","content":"Copa Airlines describes Atlanta as a market that offers “significant leisure and business traffic.” It plans to offer the flights year-round. With its hub in Panama City, the airline can connect passengers “to many unique underserved secondary destinations,” a Copa spokeswoman said in an email.","_id":"QP4FONJG7BEI3I4P67D2A7X3CI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727023,"type":"text","content":"Copa will fly in and out of Atlanta on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.","_id":"E3OUA4RIAVF7PM7R6F4NT442YI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727024,"type":"text","content":"Delta Air Lines also plans to boost its service between Atlanta and Panama, adding a second flight on Saturdays starting Dec. 18. Atlanta-based Delta is also launching flights to Panama City, Panama from Los Angeles, New York and Orlando, increasing its flight capacity to Panama by 80% compared with December 2019.","_id":"44AA2VK2CJEIPCMN2Y3EH6LCBY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727025,"type":"text","content":"Delta called Panama “a highly sought destination” with “breathtaking beaches and vibrant culture.”","_id":"37HH7E4GQZHHHL4FUUVILL5J5Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635780727026,"type":"text","content":"
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But the holding tanks used to capture such spills — and prevent them from leaving airport grounds — were full of rainwater. So, despite their efforts, the fuel reached a storm drain.","_id":"ITL3YTS2LVHIVOSESXGPBVN3UU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634943411248,"type":"text","content":"By the next day, it started showing up in the Flint River, which flows underneath the airport before snaking all the way down to South Georgia. The state Environmental Protection Division initially estimated 400 gallons had escaped. That was enough to kill fish. Then, airport officials said it was actually 700 gallons. By Oct 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it had collected at least 1,300 gallons from the river and added that the full amount remained unknown. This week, there was still a visible sheen on parts of the river, the EPA said.","_id":"DNIDB73CVFDSRJPILPSYUVHWFY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634676076631,"type":"text","content":"In the midst of all that, the city of Griffin kept pulling from the Flint to supply drinking water to nearly 100,000 people there and in nearby communities. Under guidelines set up by state law, the spill wasn’t deemed a danger to downstream residents, which meant that Griffin watershed management director Brant Keller wasn’t alerted until three days after the equipment mishap.","_id":"XSQYXHUVRBBCXDS7OIG3TRNZEE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635369203151,"type":"text","content":"Keller and environmentalists say that’s a problem. There needs to be a better way for people who use the Flint to find out when contaminants from the airport end up in the river, they say.","_id":"5D45AXQ3QJF45O2VOWTNLW4GBI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634935104473,"type":"text","content":"“I’m responsible for a lot of people’s public health and safety,” said Keller. They “ought to have to report it.”","_id":"IMUXZQZHKZEZZLQDARR7BXPWLM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635199214464,"type":"text","content":"State law requires companies that spill fuel or other hazardous materials to notify the Georgia Environmental Protection Division immediately. The EPD and other state officials then determine if there is a health threat that warrants a public notice.","_id":"AM6OV4GOBJDOHOK7JIIS276X7U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635444128242,"type":"text","content":"But there’s disagreement about what amount constitutes a threat and how wide the notification should be. And often, as with the September 26 spill, the full extent of contamination could go unknown for days. That’s especially true at the airport, because the river runs under it.","_id":"7MJTZSPD4ZAEFMPVYDHHNLHVUE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635520055436,"type":"text","content":"
","_id":"5MT2GBTGXJEFDBMA5E2YNKFKHU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635367565438,"type":"text","content":"Jennette Gayer, director of Environment Georgia, said there should be a system to alert the public about all spills, even when it’s unclear how large the discharges are. By the time accurate estimates are made, the contaminants have already flowed down the river, unknown to those who use the water, she said.","_id":"J2JHQZBU7NCL5KGTCHBSS4RJC4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634943411261,"type":"text","content":"Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney April Lipscomb agrees. “They almost always underestimate how much of any material is spilled, and the final update is often much higher,” she said. “There’s way too much lag time.”","_id":"QLBEOGEV4VDOPGUFIG6Y2JF5RY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634935104477,"type":"text","content":"“The law doesn’t really contemplate how quickly these materials can move from the airport downstream.”","level":2,"_id":"PDCZBW2J7VCU3MTC2MVQXUHBF4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634935104478,"type":"header","content":"“A throbbing ecosystem”","_id":"DY3Q4VIUGFB6DEPHRCJNFC7L5Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634676076636,"type":"text","content":"Flint Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers describes the waterway he oversees as a “throbbing ecosystem,” winding through Georgia and providing a home for fish, ducks, amphibians, reptiles and mollusks, as well as food and water source for deer, turkeys, raccoons and possum.","_id":"NU7Y4SUNLFHTRO5IJ2PCHKAPJM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051523,"type":"text","content":"“When you immerse yourself in the Flint River ecosystem,” he said, “you get the same vibe as if you were in Yellowstone or in the Grand Tetons or some of those other panoramic places where you’re seeing so much biology, so much life right in front of your face, that it’s just stunning.”","_id":"M5FZSQMIX5F5RCXIO7W4N5F7DY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051487,"type":"text","content":"The Flint also a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in Clayton County, the city of Griffin and other areas.","_id":"7LC5R6VEFZCCBEFUZVLPELQJHM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051494,"type":"text","content":"Griffin sells drinking water to Spalding County, Pike County and three small towns there, and parts of Coweta and Meriwether counties. “If it had been a major spill, I would have been sucking in whatever pollutant was discharged,” Keller said.","owner":"sponsored":false,"id":"ajc","address":,"syndication":,"caption":"The Flint River","source":"system":"photo center","name":"AJC","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":"editor":"photo center","taxonomy":"associated_tasks":[],"type":"image","distributor":"mode":"reference","reference_id":"8aec2b8c-455c-4816-903d-79fc8fdf8019","version":"0.10.3","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","licensable":false,"credits":"affiliation":[],"by":["name":"Mapbox","type":"author","byline":"Mapbox"],"subtitle":"Environmentalists: Timely alerts needed when airport toxins enter river","width":600,"_id":"YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE","additional_properties":"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/eMycoBGQhfPZhwDotJKiB8T45pM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","owner":"[email protected]","comments":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/eMycoBGQhfPZhwDotJKiB8T45pM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/eMycoBGQhfPZhwDotJKiB8T45pM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/A3W4_9SAwy_dTpQ80B_0bGYteII=/300x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/YI52ZI2KVJGMTEBGR52OKBUPRE.jpg","version":0,"originalName":"Flint River static state map.jpg","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"template_id":594,"galleries":[],"_id":"NQJLRNUZZFGCHKCZU74EEEKJS4","created_date":"2021-10-28T17:53:46Z","last_updated_date":"2021-10-28T17:53:46Z","height":800,"image_type":"photograph","_id":"SVGWJFOUD5C7DAHYQ2DJKRAMN4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635199214472,"type":"text","content":"Federal regulation on oil discharges classifies those of less than 1,000 gallons into inland waters as minor, and 1,000-10,000 as medium. Major discharges are those over 10,000 gallons or anything that’s a substantial threat to public health or the environment.","_id":"LWCUCPJ5XZEEFCRQIKRKA7QEAE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635372762717,"type":"text","content":"But size isn’t always the determinant.","_id":"2DKADDTA6ZDCHEGYJ3IB7RQIQI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635372762718,"type":"text","content":"“Quite honestly, anything is going to have an impact. The question becomes how widespread is the impact, how far downstream does it travel and, in many cases, how many fish does it kill?” said Ben Emanuel, clean water supply director at American Rivers.","_id":"3IAVBEJNAJCE7LUBMYSTIGZWXA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635374922814,"type":"text","content":"A number of factors, such as rainfall and the flow of the river, also play a part in how detrimental a spill becomes.","_id":"RKVZ3M7TORBD7AS4I2HKK734VU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051507,"type":"text","content":"There have been at least nine fuel spills at Hartsfield-Jackson since 2016, many of them small, according to Georgia EPD’s database.","_id":"NT3XPGCQTNCSJBNTGUGP23L37E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051515,"type":"text","content":"“Anytime there’s a spill, it’s going to take a certain amount of time for the river to recover,” Lipscomb said. “By the time the river recovers, there’s another spill. We’re having these prolonged issues, and we’re not allowing the river to thrive as it should.”","_id":"OZ5S4L3TDBDIZC2V3QAKKMUHPM","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"3GELYGGD65B2BOFO3RI2MOD3KQ","type":"raw_html","content":"
","_id":"ZRKVPJ3UC5G3RNXJASYP5LUJEM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634602051501,"type":"text","content":"“Maybe this exposes the need to go back and address some of the emergency response requirements that we have in the Georgia code,” Gayer said. “How do we make sure that the public is aware of what’s going on and could hold these entities accountable to protect our natural resources?”","_id":"LD3GLSI6KFAT3A4RFXTO75KHDA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635367565483,"type":"text","content":"Over the last 10 years, the state EPD said, the agency has not levied any penalties against the airport for fuel spills. That’s because they were properly remediated and “did not have any documented adverse impacts to the environment that warranted financial penalties,” according to EPD spokesman Kevin Chambers.","_id":"3W3YDDUTHJGDXPMNYQIEJALJ4Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635367565484,"type":"text","content":"Lipscomb thinks there should be more punishment when discharges happen.","_id":"GPTIB6IJZFDX3D7BGSDKBPDJW4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635443275975,"type":"text","content":"“We have repeatedly seen EPD decline to issue penalties for polluters,” Lipscomb said. “EPD doesn’t issue penalties all that often. And, when they do issue penalties, they’re not very large.”","_id":"YBDELPOEAFFLZIIMP4RS5EW6KM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634935104516,"type":"text","content":"As it stands now, she said, “many businesses essentially think of penalties as a cost of doing business. And so, it ultimately doesn’t change behavior.”","_id":"PC7PGUDE5BBL7DJV5DA4KLXQNQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"type":"text","content":"AJC data specialist Jennifer Peebles contributed to this article."],"display_date":"2021-10-29T10:00:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Environmentalists: Timely alerts needed when airport toxins enter river","first_publish_date":"2021-10-29T10:00:00Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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That’s because Georgia state law preempts locally set minimum wages, specifically prohibiting municipalities from directly or indirectly mandating a minimum wage for private-sector workers or city contractors.","_id":"WL3CQHL7GZA27ODJATSD3MZYYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635365481581,"type":"text","content":"The resolution by the city council transportation committee Wednesday says starting hourly wages for some jobs at janitorial contractors ABM Industries and CSM America are as low as $8.50. More than 700 janitorial and maintenance workers clean 3 million square feet at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including restrooms, gate areas and other public areas.","_id":"OZ72EPIM3ZGDJO3GE54KAYVTPU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635365481582,"type":"text","content":"Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, but employers are generally subject to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.","_id":"YUGMXPRVQJB4DEET2TTXNII4TA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635365481584,"type":"text","content":"While many city council members and city officials say they support $15 pay for workers, and the City of Atlanta has already raised the minimum wage it pays its own government employees to $15 an hour, airport janitorial workers are a few steps removed from direct city control.","_id":"63MLJ5ESFJCPZLBTDO6FCJO52A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1635365481585,"type":"text","content":"Responsibility for cleaning and maintenance of the airport terminal falls to the airlines, which decades ago formed a cooperative called Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company to jointly handle the work. 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Travel between the U.S. and other countries will further open up Nov. 8 with the lifting of a travel ban on vaccinated foreign tourists entering the United States.","_id":"TN4KXDBMMRCM7FQEPYHZYH4D34","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634678858533,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is requiring unvaccinated workers to take weekly COVID-19 tests and wear masks, along with imposing a monthly $200 health insurance surcharge on them starting in November.","_id":"NHBHO2RANFED5HAPPJK4NED52A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634678858534,"type":"text","content":"XpresSpa Group opened its first XpresCheck testing location at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in June 2020. 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In the order, Biden said he was doing so to ensure “the health and safety of the Federal workforce and the efficiency of the civil service.”","_id":"46MLHVUPJRFEFPKGYLRZL2MS4A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634579061863,"type":"text","content":"About 60% of the TSA’s workforce has been vaccinated, “and that number needs to go quite a bit higher over the next few weeks,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske told CNN in an interview last week.","_id":"FOK53RQF4BB2DHKEA67RB4U2YI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419742,"type":"text","content":"But a TSA spokesman said Monday that the agency doesn’t have information on the vaccination status of all of its employees. Thus, the figure is likely not an accurate reflection of the actual vaccination rate, he said.","_id":"GNWI4MEGPVA5DFI72ODDJLG4HY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419744,"type":"text","content":"“Thousands of TSA employees upload their vaccination every week,” TSA spokesman R. Carter Langston said in an email. He added, “We anticipate that the vast majority of TSA employees will get vaccinated.”","_id":"VJMDNH2DXBCXZFVQTY5RJAACYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419745,"type":"text","content":"To meet the president’s deadline, employees needed to have the first dose of the Moderna vaccine by Oct. 11 and the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by Monday. That’s because of the wait between the shots, as well the time it takes to build immunity after the second injection.","_id":"XPXY4QTHEJEITNBXR7DO5VDJ54","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419740,"type":"text","content":"Otherwise, to comply with the order, federal workers must get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Nov. 8.","_id":"5MVCH2PGOJBADCLKILAOO5YHM4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419741,"type":"text","content":"It’s yet to be seen how a shortfall could affect lines and wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson International, one of the world’s busiest airports. TSA said it does not have a breakdown of vaccination rates at individual airports.","_id":"VJMDNH2DXBCXZFVQTY5RJAACYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419745,"type":"text","content":"The agency said it is hosting employee town halls, sending emails and posting information on the requirements in break rooms.","_id":"YKHHG4S2OVAX3OBRL4Y5GYQUSQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419746,"type":"text","content":"Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the TSA has “hinted at a potential real travel mess as Thanksgiving approaches,” if the vaccination rate for its employees doesn’t improve. He called for TSA to use K9 teams as a contingency plan for staffing and security at airports.","_id":"MUJPN2KZGFDQFHGLSH467M2YAI","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"XU3Z6MHDVBCAFE7APX7QQSXYG4","type":"interstitial_link","content":"One fix for growing airport lines: more dogs","url":"https://www.ajc.com/business/one-fix-for-growing-airport-lines-more-dogs/G2iqH47GASlZZpWEMHNpON/","_id":"W27YBH4UQ5APTKQUHOSTBFSX3Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419748,"type":"text","content":"Schumer said the use of K9 teams, with specially trained dogs that sniff for explosives or potential bomb-making ingredients, “really works, and it moves the lines along.”","_id":"FOK53RQF4BB2DHKEA67RB4U2YI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634575419750,"type":"text","content":"
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And as an Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race qualifying event, it was also a chance for runners to score a good time, which allows them to be placed in an earlier starting wave for the Peachtree and push for a personal best.","_id":"FNFZQSZTEJBIVJJHBK72U7OYLI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634318370838,"type":"text","content":"The $1.2 billion, 9,000-foot runway sits isolated on the far south side of the airfield, offering runners some distance from the jets that will continue to take off and land on the other runways. 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"],"display_date":"2021-10-16T14:55:12.855Z","headlines":"basic":"PHOTOS: Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway returns to Hartsfield-Jackson ","first_publish_date":"2021-10-16T14:55:12.855Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. From the AJC","_id":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"/news","default":"/news","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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But on projects and strategies under the purview of the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation, mayors can set their own priorities.","_id":"7HPCUZAYZBALBAZL3XOSE35GXM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743578,"type":"text","content":"Multiple candidates have had direct experience with oversight of the airport, including Atlanta City Council president Felicia Moore, who for years sat on the transportation committee that oversees the airport and served as its chair.","_id":"5ECXDUJDJRH5TB2QL7KIEBQU3M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743579,"type":"text","content":"Reed, who is running to return to the office of mayor, oversaw the airport during his previous term from 2010 through 2017, and his administration was responsible for negotiating the 20-year lease renewal with Delta, the dominant carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson.","_id":"DVWBQMAWHVHRZDJBCJ2QHZDVRQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633715078084,"type":"text","content":"And candidate Andre Dickens is the current chair of the council’s transportation committee.","_id":"FXV7VAAUJ5AULB72AYZ22YZZY4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743580,"type":"text","content":"Airport contracting is handled by the city’s Department of Procurement. And with two airport contractors charged with bribery in the last couple of years, Moore said “ethics does matter.”","_id":"6GTJQ7DOCNDE5EFWUKLYKBX7CU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743581,"type":"text","content":"With the state takeover attempt, “The No. 1 issue was corruption. The citizens need to elect a leader that is not a part of that,” she said.","_id":"SKGHPQCZDVCI5ILV36ZGEY7OUY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633550733202,"type":"text","content":"Reed said the Delta lease includes a clause that would make it difficult for the state to take over the airport because bond financing would be significantly more expensive.","_id":"BWFKNIP4UBFG3GZDCHLMFXGO5U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743583,"type":"text","content":"Reed also said if he is elected again, he will launch a search for a new airport manager who would prioritize environmental efforts.","_id":"OVKQICRX5FH43N5DLIITPOBIKQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936882,"type":"text","content":"“I do want Atlanta to make a more aggressive statement around sustainability,” Reed said “As we look to cool the planet by 2 degrees and look to be more environmentally friendly, I’m going to be looking to find a leader at Hartsfield-Jackson that wants to use Hartsfield-Jackson as a proving ground.”","_id":"7SYRTP5Y7ZGJBCBIACWOC2DEUI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743584,"type":"text","content":"Current airport manager Balram Bheodari, who was named to the position earlier this year, said he is neutral on the mayoral race. He said the airport is preparing a transition document and is prepared to brief whoever becomes the next mayor on the airport’s organizational structure, finances and development plan.","_id":"VVJVYG3PDNAFDMWJT2NWG437SM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936884,"type":"text","content":"The airport has run into struggles over the years in its environmental efforts, including solar projects and a planned composting and recycling facility called Green Acres that was not successfully completed during Reed’s term. The airport did add hundreds of electric vehicle parking spots with chargers while Reed was mayor.","_id":"54PCSPGEGNHGXBO7ZPOR3JGXTE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936885,"type":"text","content":"“The good thing about having done this job in two terms before is you’re able to focus on some things that we did not get done,” Reed said.","_id":"JYOIFSAZJFC5PLUB65NGT7BCEM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633960836131,"type":"text","content":"Mayoral candidate Sharon Gay, a Dentons attorney and former deputy chief of staff and executive counsel to former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell, was not available for comment on the airport.","_id":"WMGFBA4O7FF5NLNK3P6F3BEG4A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743585,"type":"text","content":"Other candidates also said if elected mayor, they would pursue ways to make it easier for newer, smaller businesses to win airport contracts.","_id":"7QMRY2LXJVANDGY7JR7RS5URYY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743586,"type":"text","content":"Moore said “our whole contracting system needs to be reviewed... I want to make sure that new people get a fair shake.”","_id":"5CEAEUCGQBBJLKKRRZLYHAY2DQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936888,"type":"text","content":"Dickens said he wants to see more small concessions packages that companies can compete for, with lower financial pre-qualifications to bid. “I think these pre-quals are prohibitive of new entrants,” he said.","_id":"NRCKZXCJYZF3DJENRN2GZJX4PA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936889,"type":"text","content":"Another candidate, councilmember Antonio Brown, said there are “the same concessionaires at the airport that are winning year after year,” who also help fund Atlanta politicians’ campaigns.","_id":"EJKJ6TW7EBBDTMKI3VDVE5J36E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633467936890,"type":"text","content":"“In addition to them monopolizing the opportunities at the airport, I believe that because of the political entrenchment at the airport, it never allows opportunities for residents of our city that have a successful small business that could come into the airport and do great things,” Brown said. He proposed a fund “to help small businesses to enter the airport, because this can be a very costly process.... Then I think you level the playing field.”","_id":"LZEICCXIURA7DFT5YJEVL4KKFA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633466743591,"type":"text","content":"
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"],"display_date":"2021-10-15T11:00:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Atlanta’s next mayor could determine future of airport","first_publish_date":"2021-10-15T11:00:00Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. From the AJC","_id":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"/news","default":"/news","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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(Hyosub Shin / [email protected])","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/FBPZBFJCXBZLDI7XL3GBPROKRU.jpg","height":3874,"canonical_url":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog/atlantas-next-mayor-could-determine-future-of-airport/IB6RCQCJNJFIZAQS4QP347XQ6E/","_id":"IB6RCQCJNJFIZAQS4QP347XQ6E"},{"content_elements":["_id":"QUZ7BJLBHRDPXGAU2BEAD3QE6E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson International remains far ahead of any other airport in the country in the number of firearms uncovered at security checkpoints so far this year, according to the latest federal data.","_id":"O4LDOMTMRBEXNDTORGURHN4IVA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674170,"type":"text","content":"Nationally, the Transportation Security Administration found 4,495 guns in carry-on bags from January 1 through October 3 — a record, even though fewer people have flown during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s more than the number for the whole year of 2019, when the previous record was set, with 4,432.","_id":"26ANTKJVZ5ACZC5PAUHS3KOUP4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674171,"type":"text","content":"The agency said the spike is reflective of increased gun ownership throughout the nation.","_id":"55QTMTUPWRF6VOHHWVO3GSZCGU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674172,"type":"text","content":"“The number of firearms that our TSA officers are stopping at airport checkpoints is alarming,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a written statement.","_id":"MVMJPUIKPNEK3BJZUTV5EEND5Q","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674173,"type":"text","content":"At the Atlanta airport, TSA workers have stopped passengers from bringing a record 391 firearms beyond security checkpoints in 2021. That’s up from 220 last year when passenger counts were down 60%, and up from 323 in all of 2019.","_id":"EDB7Q6A3UZGAXHEDC4ZSNJCHH4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674174,"type":"text","content":"In second place behind Hartsfield-Jackson is Dallas Fort Worth International with 232 firearms caught, about 40% less than Atlanta’s total.","_id":"ORX2Z7IIBBAGNGVHLFMBTGNFQU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674175,"type":"text","content":"Five other airports had between 100 and 200 guns uncovered, and the rest of the airports had fewer than 100 so far this year.","_id":"W64HOK5KCVGRHHMBQ3BERFZXRI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674177,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson is among the world’s busiest airports when connecting passengers are included. But several other U.S. airports typically have more passengers passing through security checkpoints. Even so, more guns have been detected in screenings in Atlanta.","_id":"IK7ERHW2WVCSJIYLLCSYAAURDA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634568716680,"type":"text","content":"For the year through Oct. 3, TSA stopped 30 firearms per million passengers screened at Hartsfield-Jackson checkpoints. That’s more than twice the national rate of 11 firearms per million passengers screened in that period.","_id":"REAXDWDI5FAEVMCIALLB4GPMHE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634568716681,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson’s rate so far this year is also higher than the roughly 20 firearms per million passengers screened at the Atlanta airport in 2020, and 8.5 firearms per million passengers in 2019. Nationally, there were 10 firearms per million passengers in 2020 and 5 firearms per million passengers in 2019.","_id":"FGXVLRB4QVHCTO5TVKDBAIZXZM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674178,"type":"text","content":"Those who are caught with guns at airport security checkpoints are at risk of being charged with a crime and can face civil penalties.","_id":"IRPCZ7U4NNDSPL275YGPJ5E6MU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674179,"type":"text","content":"TSA bars travelers from bringing firearms in carry-on bags or on their person, and advises all passengers to check bags for prohibited items before heading to the airport.","_id":"U7USYUSXQJFYZFYMTKMB25ZHYU","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"CDYOIMZFWVFGJKXVTOZVE2GUDM","type":"divider","level":3,"_id":"R2R5C7OARBEXLGWHEUMMZIE3NI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674181,"type":"header","content":"Top 10 airports for firearm discoveries","level":6,"_id":"NUQPU373Q5GHRBZMSJVKBDEOZE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674182,"type":"header","content":"Firearms uncovered at airport security checkpoints from Jan. 1 through Oct. 3, 2021","_id":"TQIC2HYPB5HTDBIQSOGIWLPDCM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674183,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson: 391","_id":"D5V2TF5OP5B3TP4L5YCTXAOTPA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674184,"type":"text","content":"Dallas Fort Worth: 232","_id":"HQNG3WOJFZACNC2XCCZVCQZFFM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674185,"type":"text","content":"Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental: 168","_id":"RTVHX6EKPVFN5HKPIFNRABAUWA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674186,"type":"text","content":"Phoenix Sky Harbor: 147","_id":"E7CFTWIFQJCYDG2REFHCFN2NVY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674187,"type":"text","content":"Nashville: 115","_id":"5EXXK3AWDNAZNH2MNU2NUR6XDI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674188,"type":"text","content":"Denver: 107","_id":"5OLQ75BDVZFXBGSZ7KQUXPRD2M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674189,"type":"text","content":"Fort Lauderdale: 107","_id":"E5YCYFBUZ5CPZPE3VQOQEDPT4Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674190,"type":"text","content":"Salt Lake City: 90","_id":"MVQL6SSM5FGB5M2IU3G77ZDAOM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674191,"type":"text","content":"New Orleans: 90","_id":"GE5ZC32FGVG4XBLWQHU2TW3J7Q","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674192,"type":"text","content":"Dallas Love Field: 88","_id":"CIIA5KLMZNG53INAUW6RUDMSLQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674193,"type":"text","content":"Source: TSA","_id":"X2OFW5U32RC2BDITOFS4CRZG3Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634158674194,"type":"text","content":"
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Chicago-based United said last week that 99.5% of its employees had been vaccinated. But United, American and Southwest have also faced backlash from some workers.","_id":"SRCNOAG5EFCX5BBO27A5L47VYA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634087356607,"type":"text","content":"Bastian acknowledged that there are vaccine requirements for federal contractors by Dec. 8 and that Delta is a federal contractor. He has said Delta will follow any executive order requirements, and said “we’re going to have our employees vaccinated by then.”","_id":"72GUJ7ZM35GKNOWAWEF3TN2S3E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634085020982,"type":"text","content":"“My point is I’m saying the mandates are not the only way to get people vaccinated,” the CEO said. “The issue is around personal choice.”","_id":"Z3I7VQWSNNHZNGUFJYDFSU627M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634143366620,"type":"text","content":"Bastian acknowledged during a conference call Wednesday with investors that “undoubtedly there will be a small number of people that will not be vaccinated.” He estimated that after exemptions, it would be roughly 1-2% of employees, “and we’ll have to assess that when the time comes.”","_id":"AW3X7D2X4FCCTEN3ASY2BTJN54","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634143366621,"type":"text","content":"But, he said, “right now I think we’re fully in line with the intent” of the executive order for federal contractors.","_id":"MMO6MCBKKNH2XJHJEANMOVPLZI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634085020983,"type":"text","content":"Bastian added that Delta is “not philosophically opposed to mandates,” noting that Delta has been requiring new hires to be vaccinated since May, and has hired more than 8,000 people so far this year.","_id":"CLKRP2KOWJEXFKSS3N2UWIOMQU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634085020984,"type":"text","content":"But he added that “mandates have become a political and polarizing term.”","_id":"OD57R52LH5GUZP6YRSQTURDLL4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634085020985,"type":"text","content":"Georgia Gov. 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The airport ended up canceling that contracting process in June 2020 during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic “to allow potential bidders to focus on economic recovery at the time.”","_id":"UNYU2AHJLNAMNEMMWUNCTL7PXI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634125905810,"type":"text","content":"The airport plans to hold a pre-proposal meeting via Zoom for companies interested on Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting was rescheduled from an earlier planned date in October. The deadline for proposals was also extended, to Jan. 5, 2022.","_id":"JP5UJTEV6ZFKDNK3HO4WEJAP2E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634125905811,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta airport managers have long pushed for more development around the airport, an area that features industrial properties, empty lots, airport hotels, logistics facilities, apartments and off-airport parking lots, along with some corporate offices, shopping centers and houses.","_id":"BQU47E4VOZCZTOQDVLMZWNHHWI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634125905812,"type":"text","content":"But there are challenges, particularly after the pandemic drove a 60% decline in passenger traffic at the Atlanta airport last year due to the pandemic.","_id":"2MWUQ36UTJEZPOO4X4MFOMGQGQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634125905813,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson is in the process of scaling back a long-delayed “Airport City” development planned for a spot steps away from the domestic terminal. 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Many cross-border travel restrictions are still in place, and much corporate travel remains on hold as companies delay reopening offices.","_id":"SCI3COD5QFGAVBWJRXDQY2QKZA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668377,"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, fuel costs are rising. The price of U.S. crude oil price closed above $80 a barrel earlier this week for the first time in nearly seven years, more than doubling from last October.","_id":"ISZAWC2Q4JDTRN5QPZ55KV3XTU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668378,"type":"text","content":"Delta reported net income of $1.21 billion in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $5.38 billion a year earlier. It was the second straight quarter the airline reported a net profit, but the first quarterly profit since the pandemic began that didn’t depend on federal CARES Act relief funding.","_id":"52T2CMJ7LZFVXPEGZJVB3QBTAQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634143788515,"type":"text","content":"Not counting government grants, restructuring charges and other financial maneuvering, the airline said it would have made $216 million in pre-tax income.","_id":"C6T6Q6T6LBE53OGETC4OHPRRFY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668381,"type":"text","content":"Bastian said that Delta’s higher unit revenues – which are driven in part by higher fares — helped drive profitability.","_id":"3BQ25UGZMVGY7FTDD3HNP33QT4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668382,"type":"text","content":"Third-quarter operating revenue of $9.15 billion was three times higher than a year earlier but still down 27% compared with 2019. Operating expenses were $6.95 billion, down 27% compared with 2020 and down 34% from 2019.","_id":"E52DGNSDXNDLHFITNLRD2UISUU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668383,"type":"text","content":"High-paying business and international travelers have not yet returned en masse. Corporate travel volume in the third quarter crept up to just 40% of 2019 levels, falling short of previous forecasts. International passenger revenue was at 42% of 2019 levels. Domestic passenger revenue reached 72% of 2019 levels.","_id":"AXAQVITN3ZABPAQ42QRTJ4PERU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634142351008,"type":"text","content":"While Fortune 500 companies have been slow to send employees back out on business trips, Delta has seen growth in a different kind of premium customer — luxury leisure travelers.","_id":"ICVHFM64T5ESPLPNQR4QRT43DE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634142351009,"type":"text","content":"In pre-pandemic days, first-class seats were filled by business travelers who got free upgrades. But “what we’re seeing are people are willing to pay us for those seats,” said Delta president Glen Hauenstein during an investor conference call. “That’s why we want to create more (premium seats) over time.”","_id":"KDUCQ2QST5F2JDU6YXQLPS64JI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634142351010,"type":"text","content":"Those flying during the pandemic have also had access to unusually posh amenities on some of Delta’s domestic routes — such as larger aircraft with lie-flat business class seats.","_id":"BMWHCEVSSVBGFE3U5SOHK3XQAI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668386,"type":"text","content":"The airline also announced Wednesday it is buying two used wide-body Airbus A350s after slashing its fleet last year, including the retirement of all of its wide-body Boeing 777s. It is also preparing to bring back to service more of its grounded planes.","_id":"G5Q22Q3R7ZBTTIU7SZDRTBOCZM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634142351014,"type":"text","content":"Delta has hired more than 8,000 people so far this year as it rushed to staff up after cutting its workforce by about 18,000 through buyouts and early retirements last year. That has driven costs up as the company works to improve customer service and reduce wait times.","_id":"PQZ4E76WT5E6LCDGBZVJ76MU5A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634143788526,"type":"text","content":"Looking forward, with the U.S. expected to relax border restrictions next month, Bastian said Delta has seen a 10-fold increase in bookings from Europe, signaling strong European spring and summer travel in 2022.","_id":"C6T6Q6T6LBE53OGETC4OHPRRFY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1634083668387,"type":"text","content":"Delta is the first major U.S. airline to report its third-quarter results. 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Masks are required before and after the race.","_id":"DIBC4QFZRNBIXMP6TTE77AMKMI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633703279751,"type":"text","content":"The race starts at 6:30 a.m., and all participants must be off the runway by 7:30 a.m. for airport workers to do a sweep of the area and prepare for flights that will start landing again at around 8 a.m.","_id":"DJH7TCCWJRATDEXRZP2CHDHWWA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633703279752,"type":"text","content":"Officials plan to have a Delta Airbus A350 parked at the end of a taxiway nearby to allow race participants to take photos in front of the wide-body jet, along with selfies against the vast expanse of the airfield as the sun begins to rise at the end of the race.","_id":"HY6HEOHX2JH6VNGYJ7ADG5TVOU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633703279753,"type":"text","content":"“Most people have only seen this stuff from the window of the aircraft,” said Hartsfield-Jackson’s John Murphy, who works in airside operations and is handling preparations for the event. “People are fascinated by it.”","_id":"2POH33R4FFDXXJOZ5TWDFR5KOI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633703279757,"type":"text","content":"
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JOHNSON / AJC","type":"author","byline":"KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC","slug":"kent-d-johnson-ajc"],"subtitle":"Photos of the Week, October 23, 2015","width":1600,"caption":"Runners cross the finish line in the inaugural 5K on the 5th Runway. The race will be run again this year after a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. KENT D. JOHNSON/[email protected]","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/S2ISFW3MT73UY5T4UKKBRZID6E.jpg","height":1053,"canonical_url":"/news/business/hartsfield-jackson-prepares-for-return-of-5k-on-the-5th-runway/FK2KMPELFNA5LA6GOWFVDHZRA4/","_id":"FK2KMPELFNA5LA6GOWFVDHZRA4"},{"content_elements":["_id":"5IIHUI423RFNHN5XRYSFFUSCCE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"Delta Air Lines plans to soon begin using facial recognition in the domestic terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, allowing passengers who qualify to go through security and board their flights without showing identification or boarding passes.","_id":"W5ESNBIBPNBBRCKQTXCCJUTVHE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978088,"type":"text","content":"Delta SkyMiles frequent fliers who are members of TSA’s trusted traveler program PreCheck and have passports will be able to opt in to use facial recognition to get through the airport when flying Delta. Before, only the carrier’s international passengers had that choice.","_id":"T4WC2UF7TZCMPOKMW4ZDYHL3VI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633638632262,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson and other airports have explored ways to move travelers through the terminals with “touchless” technology to reduce contact and bottlenecks. Delta says its aim is to turn security and check-in into “seamless experiences.”","_id":"WZFSJX7AIFF5JLEGFNNPJACDOA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633646153006,"type":"text","content":"Delta, which has said it is investing in ”the travel experience of tomorrow,” said this move brings it “one step closer to achieving our vision of creating a more personalized and fully connected travel journey,” according to a written statement from Byron Merritt, the company’s vice president of brand experience design.","_id":"MOCUCGE32JBLTMKYPCNDNX5J7Q","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633638632263,"type":"text","content":"But the expansion of the biometric technology has raised privacy concerns, even though Delta says those who do not want facial scans can decline it at check-in and go through the regular process.","_id":"4VL2EZMJR5ELVMU3B6M64VO4O4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978091,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta-based Delta first launched the use of facial recognition for domestic flights at its Detroit hub earlier this year. Airline executives plan to roll it out to other hubs next year.","_id":"PGMN6ESNWFB2BM2KNYYLDIUQQI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978092,"type":"text","content":"In the next few weeks, Delta will add facial recognition equipment to Hartsfield-Jackson’s south security checkpoint, which is near Delta’s check-in area and dedicated to PreCheck members. Facial recognition will expand to some of Delta’s domestic bag drop and boarding gates later this year.","_id":"PHAC63R5IJEFTPKO3ZXAHB4G2Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978094,"type":"text","content":"While Delta describes its partnering with TSA PreCheck to use the technology as an “industry first,” facial recognition has been tested or launched in various forms by other airlines and at other airports across the country.","_id":"NB5M3XFMLNCLHIJRPRB3BQVSHM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978095,"type":"text","content":"Delta has employed facial recognition in the international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson since 2018.","_id":"F5H6ESL5ZNCUDNTXTZPSUY35YQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633638632270,"type":"text","content":"It‘s easier to use facial recognition on passengers traveling outside of the country because airlines can rely on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s federal passport database for facial image matching. ","_id":"ONXMLJ72NNAATI6ECYXY3HLI3A","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978096,"type":"text","content":"For domestic flights, however, passengers may not have passports, just driver licenses as ID. The photos used on those are in different state databases instead of one system.","_id":"O5PCXUKYINHLXBGTE7LUTMQMWE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633638632272,"type":"text","content":"Passengers interested in using Delta’s facial recognition system to get through airports faster for domestic travel must participate in TSA’s PreCheck program. PreCheck costs $85 to register for five years and $70 to renew for another five years","_id":"LBUVBNF2IBDQXJ3RMN6I3U57VM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633638632273,"type":"text","content":"Some airlines, including Spirit, have tried using facial recognition on domestic passengers on a more limited basis. Spirit launched use of biometric photo matching at a couple of airports with the aim of getting Transportation Security Administration approval for broader use.","_id":"4UI3YFMJ6BFRRE3BJVX5XZGFFI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978097,"type":"text","content":"Passengers who pay for a membership to Clear are already able to use fingerprints or an iris scan to get through security without showing ID. Clear membership costs $179 a year, with lower rates for Delta frequent fliers.","_id":"XXQ4PNCKKZBMPGP7IILKCP465I","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"7PJOWLTJUNCOBHZR4L5U7M277A","type":"divider","_id":"DY2RQPJJQ5HUVBVH7AFUA52HS4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978100,"type":"text","content":"Delta facial recognition at Hartsfield-Jackson’s domestic terminal","_id":"5PV3GCVKXZD2HG6W2DQN7CEC3E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978101,"type":"text","content":"Here’s how it will work:","list_type":"unordered","_id":"GBE4CBTT55EENGJU5EVSJIRFHM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"type":"list","items":["_id":"NGXJSVFMGRCJ7AT7TMWCDOSTMA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"Passengers must store passport information and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Known Traveler Number in their SkyMiles profile in the Fly Delta app.","_id":"V43VBN4SABB2FGLJO6VGJALGQY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"They then opt into facial recognition use through the Fly Delta app.","_id":"MY2M7V6HJVEMTBININF64UVETU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"block_properties":,"type":"text","content":"At the airport, passengers must look into the camera at bag drop, the security checkpoint and the boarding gate."],"_id":"VA6AKLAEKNE6RAJD22SFY4ECRI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633634978103,"type":"text","content":"Source: Delta"],"display_date":"2021-10-07T22:44:42.904Z","headlines":"basic":"Delta to expand facial recognition to Atlanta domestic passengers","first_publish_date":"2021-10-07T22:44:42.904Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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BOB ANDRES / [email protected]","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/EQ2DJC3GNWFFY2Q2DAIPN7ANIU.jpg","height":1536,"_id":"VXQ5UDH7KZDMTGKZU7BWE5ETLM"},{"content_elements":["_id":"IBPZRD4PLNFL5CKSRDPPDWDBNI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1594745854630,"type":"text","content":"In August, United Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to require that employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.","_id":"AVXHSG7HMJA4DPQYWNDZKJD46M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633391815129,"type":"text","content":"Other major U.S. airlines, including American and Southwest, announced over the weekend and on Monday that they also are requiring employees to get shots. The moves came after Reuters reported Friday that the White House has pushed carriers to do so.","_id":"642RDVHIQBC4JP6DH4LFRSQJQI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505223,"type":"text","content":"That leaves Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines as the only big U.S. carrier without a broad employee vaccine mandate.","_id":"AZ24X44EM5D3REDS5NWDT2VEBE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505224,"type":"text","content":"Earlier this year, Delta stood out for a different reason as the only major airline still blocking middle seats. It maintained that policy through April 2021, saying it gained more customers because it made travelers feel safer during the pandemic.","_id":"VUF7E266KND3PDPU6DZI6VJJQY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505226,"type":"text","content":"Delta is requiring new hires to be vaccinated. But for existing employees it is instead penalizing unvaccinated workers with a monthly $200 health insurance surcharge starting in November, along with requiring them to take weekly COVID-19 tests and wear masks.","_id":"J63ATVA35NAL3KOQESJ6OWHXBE","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"HNAGUG3VSZBW3EYLRBA2KTSC7M","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Delta to levy $200/mth health care surcharge on unvaccinated employees","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/delta-to-levy-200mth-health-care-surcharge-on-unvaccinated-employees/KHOZOJB6NZAQHAXNLT7PO2QACE/","_id":"SMUCYF66HJGCJMPME5I2S3US7M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505227,"type":"text","content":"On Monday afternoon, Delta said its “approach to encourage a high rate of employee vaccinations continues to work,” adding that 84% of its workforce has been vaccinated so far, and that rate is “climbing daily.”","_id":"QRXEYUN7IVGVLFDSUBRIUD3MFY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505228,"type":"text","content":"At an International Air Transport Association conference in Boston, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Sunday, “I’m really pleased with the success that we’re having,” according to a transcript of the remarks.","_id":"D55IH3X7IFB7TKMTUDR6H2YOQM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633391815142,"type":"text","content":"Chicago-based United said on Monday that 99.5% of its employees had been vaccinated against COVID-19. At the same time, some employees have sued United, which said 320 workers were in the process of being terminated from a workforce of 67,000.","_id":"DN5O5GSUZ5DGTKFONSNXHPYGKY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505230,"type":"text","content":"Some industry watchers say Delta may have no choice but to adopt a similar policy, pointing to the Biden administration’s vaccine requirement for federal contractors by Dec. 8.","_id":"R55GRGWFRJG65F7QIO7XTF6QUQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505231,"type":"text","content":"In a statement Monday, Delta said “we continue to examine the Administration’s executive order.” Bastian said Sunday he expects Delta’s employee vaccination rate to get to “well over 90%” but that the company “will certainly follow any executive order requirements.”","_id":"AQE4LGSXC5H7THGHWTV5MD3SLQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633391815145,"type":"text","content":"Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp threatened last month to go to court to block President Joe Biden’s federal vaccine requirements.","_id":"AKJPPDLGK5BK3LB6IRIN3ZPXGQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633391815146,"type":"text","content":"Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the second-largest carrier at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport behind Delta, issued a statement Monday afternoon announcing its employee vaccination mandate. It added that it “determined that the carrier’s contracts with the U.S. government require full compliance with the federal vaccination directive.”","_id":"7VTAV6CW7NFOTGLSNHJTK2UUOA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633385505232,"type":"text","content":"Delta also is a federal government contractor. It is one of the U.S. airlines contracted to provide discounted flights to federal government travelers. It is a maintenance contractor for U.S. military aircraft. As part of the Department of Defense’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet, it recently helped transport evacuees from Afghanistan."],"display_date":"2021-10-05T00:18:35.821Z","headlines":"basic":"All major U.S. airlines but Delta now have employee vaccine mandate","first_publish_date":"2021-10-05T00:18:35.821Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/news/atlanta-airport-blog","parent":"default":"/news","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/news","name":"Atlanta Airport Blog","description":"News and updates about Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, plus airline news with a Georgia focus. 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Officials say there is no requirement to notify the public when such spills occur.","_id":"ELDUKCG6CBACDGLEFBPVLFFHAE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522126,"type":"text","content":"“It’s upsetting,” Hannah Palmer said of the spill, which killed some of the river’s fish. In 2017, she and others started the organization Finding the Flint, which is dedicated to restoring the river and promoting its use.","_id":"FA7GQJ55YZCFHDCYSDKQPWAKCI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633113019269,"type":"text","content":"“It’s not just the fish that we’re talking about and the water quality,” Palmer said. “It’s the quality of life for those people who live along these streams. It smells.”","_id":"FNRIMCS4N5FDPKIF2X4XYF33UY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522127,"type":"text","content":"State legislation passed in 2014 requires that the airport and other businesses notify Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division if there’s a spill that could endanger the health or property of downstream users of the water.","_id":"TVJWCI6QGJCURNVVHPSO4YVFRU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522128,"type":"text","content":"But, EPD spokesman Kevin Chambers said in an email, that agency doesn’t have to inform the public of the spill.","_id":"N7QXGEW425DXFN4HJA4LLNXZWU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522129,"type":"text","content":"To be specific, state law leaves it up to the EPD to determine if there is a threat to health or property. If there is, officials then “determine if it is necessary to prepare and distribute a public notice concerning such threat,” or if any evacuations are necessary.","_id":"NZM55663AJFTZC3LLQ6IU6HRQI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114776550,"type":"text","content":"Clayton County and the City of Griffin both have drinking water systems that have intakes on the Flint River. Clayton shut down the intake. Brant Keller, the director of watershed management for Griffin, said he was not notified of the spill until Wednesday, though it didn’t cause damage.","_id":"KIDNH4DA7ZE6LADNE7EHYOU4FA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633117878641,"type":"text","content":"“I’m responsible for a lot of people’s public health and safety. As far as I’m concerned, it was a pretty serious mistake that they don’t have protocol in place to let people know,” he said.","_id":"LK3XOKMFLFF4HKIMYZAHO2M4XY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522130,"type":"text","content":"Hartsfield-Jackson had a spill of about 1,000 gallons of fuel in 2017. A year earlier, a larger discharge of 4,500 gallons at the airport caused fuel to spill into Sullivan Creek and the Flint River, Georgia Health News reported.","_id":"53M76YZFCVDCVDY6XTTCFIDNV4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522131,"type":"text","content":"“It’s just so normalized,” said Palmer, who lives in East Point. “It’s tragic because it symbolizes how we treat the southside downstream community.”","subtype":"facebook-post","referent":"referent_properties":"additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1633303183113,"provider":"https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post/oembed.json/?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://www.facebook.com/findingtheflint/posts/1045163522905978&locale=en_US","type":"facebook-post","_id":"EDTRBZTQH5CK3OBSVJNK46L44Q","raw_oembed":"author_name":"Finding the Flint","author_url":"https://www.facebook.com/156666298422376","width":552,"html":"
n
Another nasty, smelly fuel spill from the airport into the Flint River. I know the airlines don’t like dumping money...
Posted by Finding the Flint on Wednesday, September 29, 2021
","provider_url":"https://www.facebook.com","_id":"https://www.facebook.com/findingtheflint/posts/1045163522905978&locale=en_US","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1633303183113,"provider_name":"Facebook","type":"facebook-post","version":"1.0","type":"oembed_response","_id":"HWVZ5BDOCVHNTA3XYMRPVHMC2I","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522133,"type":"text","content":"The Flint River has its headwaters near Delta Air Lines’ corporate offices just north of Hartsfield-Jackson. It flows underneath the airport, then to southwest Georgia into Lake Seminole. Officially, there is no public access to the river north of Fayetteville, according to Finding the Flint. But Palmer said some people do access the river from metro Atlanta areas just south of the city. Farther down in South Georgia, people kayak and fish along the Flint.","_id":"VHAMKGCOCZFEHA7PONVCTYKOWU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522134,"type":"text","content":"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health effects of Jet A — the type of fuel spilled at Hartsfield-Jackson — and other jet fuels “depend on how much of these fuels you are exposed to and for how long.”","_id":"M3OVJFURUNALBCQWPAAKPTQYPI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522135,"type":"text","content":"“We know very little about the human health effects” of jet fuel exposure, the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Research and Disease Registry says in a public health statement. People who accidentally ingest kerosene, which has a similar composition to Jet A, “were reported as suffering harmful effects on the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system,” causing “coughing, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and vomiting, drowsiness, restlessness and convulsions.”","_id":"55ZSFHBANBDV5DPQZZ7T4KBT5I","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633113019280,"type":"text","content":"Waterways need to be better protected, Palmer said. She plans to continue efforts to open portions of the upper headwaters of the Flint to public access.","_id":"L2KGFIUMTFC4RE6W5MMSQGQA3U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522137,"type":"text","content":"When people don’t frequent the river and creeks, she said, “they don’t see the pollution. They don’t smell the jet fuel. They don’t understand the environmental damage.”","_id":"PGSLM6TIUVB7VH5PIEHV62OBTA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114776551,"type":"text","content":"Flint Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers agrees that more needs to be done to ensure the water is kept clean. “We’re not just talking about people swimming and fishing,” he said. “Perhaps a wider-reaching and more important thing is providing safe drinking water to literally hundreds of thousands in southwest metro Atlanta.”","_id":"LK3XOKMFLFF4HKIMYZAHO2M4XY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633108522130,"type":"text","content":"
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He also acknowledged that would likely mean flights between smaller cities, rather than hubs like Atlanta.","_id":"4NQKGSMT6JE4VL3LE4VNXJT5ZY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114769755,"type":"text","content":"Karnik originally hoped to begin flying by June 2021. However, it wasn’t until July 30 that the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order declaring ExpressJet fit to resume flying as a certificated airline. Now, aha! plans to start flying Oct. 24.","_id":"KKS6Q5HCORBDTCYPYFW5FWYOTY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114769756,"type":"text","content":"Its first flights will be to Reno from Pasco/Tri-Cities, Wash.; Medford, Redmond and Eugene, Ore.; and Bakersfield, Ontario, Arcata-Eureka and Fresno/Yosemite, Calif. The flights will be three times a week between the destinations with 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 regional jets. The company said it plans to grow to more than 20 cities in 2022.","_id":"QBMFTS7AZRCGXLNPS3WRGQVJFE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114769757,"type":"text","content":"Karnik is the majority investor in ManaAir LLC, which acquired ExpressJet from regional carrier SkyWest in 2019. The majority owner of ExpressJet is now Karnik’s KAir Enterprises LLC, which has United Airlines as a minority owner.","_id":"DV2JMWYLJRHLPLIPF75DKUBBIM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633114769758,"type":"text","content":"
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Residents voted to unseat county commissioners who supported commercialization of the airport, which turned the tide of political support against the project and eventually led to the cancellation of the Paulding airport’s lease with developer Propeller Airports.","_id":"LC6B47ZM7FHXTGHBHG2MNTN4EQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633024817383,"type":"text","content":"But some of the lawsuits over the airport commercialization continued.","_id":"HIRKXA33QRGHZMW2EY5MO3L3Q4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633016477619,"type":"text","content":"With the settlement, the City of Atlanta and the Paulding residents who sued their county agreed to dismiss their lawsuits pending in Paulding County Superior Court. The residents also agreed not to block airport expansion projects unrelated to commercialization, including plans by the state to build an aircraft mechanics school and flight school at the Paulding airport.","_id":"I3X64JLXLFB5NK6G54TA5SM7RM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633016477621,"type":"text","content":"As part of the settlement, Atlanta also agreed not to designate any of its property in Paulding as a public park, recreation area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge or historic site that could block development of the land.","_id":"6B73TMZVEND4LJ7F7O34JJIJLA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1633024817387,"type":"text","content":"The legal wrangling over the airport isn’t over. 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