New Atlanta airport master plan eyes new gates, sixth runway (Savannah: subsidized, maintenance)

[Newsboy]

How are they going to build a new runway and gates between the existing runways and keep the 5th operational?

God, how I wish they'd take all this money, design expertise and enthusiasm and just build a second airport. This is crazy, and I fear more ego driven than practicality or market driven.

[MattCW]

Ugh, what a waste. Airlines are decentralizing with the more capable airlines like the 787 and A350 offering direct flights and not having to transfer as much. On top of that, for what this is going to cost the taxpayers (why aren't you arguing for a toolbooth on the runway, jsvh?) we could build regional rail out to all of the short-distance cities, virtually replacing all those flights. This would be to the airlines' benefits as well since instead of having to fly a lot of dinky little airplanes all over the place, they can now land large craft from across the country.

[Adi from the Brunswicks]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Ugh, what a waste. Airlines are decentralizing with the more capable airlines like the 787 and A350 offering direct flights and not having to transfer as much. On top of that, for what this is going to cost the taxpayers (why aren't you arguing for a toolbooth on the runway, jsvh?) we could build regional rail out to all of the short-distance cities, virtually replacing all those flights. This would be to the airlines' benefits as well since instead of having to fly a lot of dinky little airplanes all over the place, they can now land large craft from across the country.

First and foremost, I would focus on restructuring and expanding Marta routes. The current system does not get many here to places in the suburbs effectively. There is a lot to be done. A commuter rail system (Ideally built by MARTA) would be of immense help to the region.

I am also more into linking public transit systems with the same organization like MTA, SEPTA, NJ Transit, and the T in northeastern USA.

[billl]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

if they decided to convert peachtree-dekalb into a commercial airport, i think it could be done. they would have to acquire all the land between chamblee-dunwoody and clairmont road, which is mostly old industrial properties.

It will never happen. Some of the neighbors are completely opposed to it and they are very vocal and very active.

PDK already has a voluntary curfew from 11 pm to 6 am due to noise issues. You really think the neighbors will stand for regular commercial traffic?

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

How are they going to build a new runway and gates between the existing runways and keep the 5th operational?

God, how I wish they'd take all this money, design expertise and enthusiasm and just build a second airport. This is crazy, and I fear more ego driven than practicality or market driven.

What are you talking about? The airport isn't bothering anyone. What's the problem? Hell let them have 10 runways if they want. That's good for me

[glovenyc]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

Excuse me for laughing. Do you know how many cities much larger than Atlanta are trying to make do with tiny airports? LAX, San Diego, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Newark Airport, La Guardia, and Boston are just a few.

New York metro has 4 airports, L.A. has at least 3 airports, London has at least 2 airports...and why are you laughing?

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by MattCW

(why aren't you arguing for a toolbooth on the runway, jsvh?)

No need for a toll booth, airports already charge for each runway use! Users directly pay all costs. Airlines already have to pay for each landing / takeoff and gate usage. Each passenger pays fees directly to the airport to cover things like the security screening (check the details of your ticket next time).

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by skbl17

More gates, more runways, Plane Train extensions, more taxiways...

And thus, one of the world's biggest airports keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I can't help but echo bryant's point that space will eventually become an issue, if it hasn't already. In fact, since nobody else has brought this question up yet, I thought I would: what impacts do you think the continuing expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson will have on efforts to get a second airport built in metro Atlanta? I don't think any movement will happen on that front for quite some time (well yea, there's Paulding County, but I can't see anything happening on that front, and we all know what happened in Gwinnett County).

- skbl17

Too bad Athens' Ben-Epps Field has never been seriously considered as a reliever. I think they'd get enough air traffic from UGA students alone.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by jsvh

No need for a toll booth, airports already charge for each runway use! Users directly pay all costs. Airlines already have to pay for each landing / takeoff and gate usage. Each passenger pays fees directly to the airport to cover things like the security screening (check the details of your ticket next time).

Though some of your costs are still being subsidized if you buy an economy ticket by the flyers in first class.

Regarding a second airport: it seems crazy. I don't know how you'd find land for one near MARTA, and building one that's not connected to our transit system would be literally ridiculous; as in worthy of ridicule.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I think they were originally going to put detached terminals b/t the fifth runway and the rest of the complex, but it looks like gate expansion will be happening on the east side of the new International terminal. Which makes sense from a standpoint of connections and not having to build a new terminal. But as I understand it, the fifth runway is not used as much as it could be because it is such a long taxi in. Adding a sixth runway will make that an even longer taxi. I guess my point is, the original plan for the separate southern terminal would make better use of the new runway(s).



I bet they can take the parking decks down sections at a time. Maybe they can take out a quarter of the lot and start building the new structure, open it, tear down another piece, repeat.

AJC article says they dumped the detached terminal idea with this new plan.