Should Atlanta Build a Second Major Airport?

Atlanta already has one of the world’s busiest airports: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). So why do people keep asking whether Atlanta should build a second airport?

If you live in metro Atlanta, visit often, or fly here for business, you’ve probably felt the long lines, packed concourses, and heavy traffic on I‑75 and I‑85. The idea of a second airport comes up again and again as the region grows and travelers look for smoother ways to get in and out of the city.

This guide walks through why a second airport is even being discussed, what it could mean for traffic, travel options, and neighborhoods, and what alternatives Atlanta is already using.

Why Is Atlanta Talking About a Second Airport at All?

1. Hartsfield–Jackson Is Extremely Busy

ATL handles an enormous number of passengers and flights every year. For people in and around Atlanta, that can mean:

• Crowded terminals and security lines
• Runway congestion leading to delays, especially during storms
• Gate constraints that limit how many new routes or airlines can realistically be added

A second airport could spread out this demand, the same way other large metro areas use multiple airports (for example, cities that split traffic between a main hub and secondary “reliever” airports).

2. Metro Atlanta’s Population Keeps Growing

As the Atlanta region adds more residents in places like Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Henry, and Fayette Counties, demand for:

• Business travel
• Vacation flights
• Visiting friends and relatives

continues to rise.

Without additional capacity, residents may see:

• Higher fares on some routes
• Less flexibility in flight times
• More pressure on already busy roads and transit connections to ATL

A second airport could be one way to plan ahead for future growth rather than constantly stretching a single airport to its limits.

3. Limited Room to Expand ATL Itself

Hartsfield–Jackson is surrounded by interstates, dense development, and long‑established neighborhoods in Atlanta, College Park, Hapeville, and Clayton County.

The airport and the City of Atlanta have invested heavily in expanding ATL over the years, but there are practical limits:

• Only so many runways can be added
• Terminals cannot grow forever without major impacts on surrounding communities
• Noise concerns and environmental impacts increase with each expansion

Eventually, even a well-managed main airport can reach a point where adding more capacity becomes extremely difficult or very disruptive.

What Could a Second Atlanta Airport Offer?

If Atlanta built or designated a second major passenger airport, it would likely serve as a complement, not a replacement, for Hartsfield–Jackson. Here is what that might look like for travelers and residents.

Potential Benefits for Travelers

A second airport in or near Atlanta could:

• Reduce congestion at ATL, leading to potentially shorter lines and fewer bottlenecks
• Offer more non-stop options to certain regions, especially if low-cost or regional carriers use the new airport
• Offer more choices in departure airports for people living far from South Atlanta
• Serve specific types of travel, like:
  • Low‑cost leisure flights
  • Short‑haul regional flights
  • Point‑to‑point routes that don’t rely on a big connecting hub

For example, some metro areas use their secondary airport primarily for budget airlines and point-to-point flights, while the main airport focuses on long-haul and international routes.

Possible Benefits for the Region

From a regional planning perspective, a second airport could:

• Spread economic development to a new part of the metro area:
  • Airport-related jobs (maintenance, logistics, concessions)
  • Hotels, restaurants, and services near the new airport
• Improve resilience:
  • If a major disruption hits one airport (severe weather, construction, incident), some operations can shift to the other
• Encourage transportation upgrades:
  • New or improved highways
  • Expanded bus or rail connections to different parts of the region

Where Could a Second Atlanta Airport Go?

Atlanta already has several existing airports in the region. They are not full-scale commercial hubs like Hartsfield–Jackson, but they are often mentioned in discussions about “a second Atlanta airport.”

Below is a simple overview of key airports often mentioned in this context:

Right now, none of these facilities operate as a true second major passenger airport with full commercial service like ATL. But they:

• Already play an important reliever role for general aviation
• Are often studied or mentioned when regional leaders talk about future capacity

If you’re a resident curious about options beyond ATL, these airports are worth knowing about—especially if you use charter flights, corporate travel, or flight schools.

How Would a Second Airport Affect Getting Around Atlanta?

1. Traffic and Driving

For many travelers, getting to the airport is as stressful as the flight itself. A second airport could change driving patterns:

• Residents south of Atlanta (Clayton, Henry, Fayette, Spalding) might still prefer ATL
• Residents north or east of Atlanta (Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Hall, Barrow) might switch to a closer airport if one were developed in their direction

This could:

• Reduce pressure on I‑75 and I‑85 south of downtown
• Shift some demand to interstates like I‑285, I‑20, I‑75 north, I‑85 north, GA‑400, depending on location

However, a second airport would also need major road improvements and clear signage. Without that, Atlanta could end up with two congested corridors instead of one.

2. Public Transit and Airport Access

Today, MARTA serves Hartsfield–Jackson with both the Red and Gold rail lines terminating at the Airport Station inside the domestic terminal.

If a second airport were built or expanded for commercial use, questions would include:

• Would it be served by MARTA rail, commuter rail, or only buses?
• How long would the trip take from Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead?
• Would there be park-and-ride lots, rideshare zones, and clear shuttle systems?

For many Atlanta residents, reliable transit access would be a key factor in deciding which airport to use.

What Are the Downsides or Concerns About a Second Airport?

A second airport is not a simple fix. Residents, local governments, and travelers often raise important concerns.

1. Cost and Use of Public Resources

Building, expanding, and operating a major commercial airport is extremely expensive. Even repurposing a smaller regional airport for large-scale commercial use can require:

• New or expanded runways
• Upgraded terminals, parking decks, and security facilities
• Ground transportation improvements (roads, rail, or bus systems)
• Air traffic control and safety equipment upgrades

Local and state officials must weigh:

• Is the demand high enough to justify the investment?
• Would airlines actually commit to use the second airport?
• How would it affect the financial health of Hartsfield–Jackson, which is a major economic engine for the city?

2. Impact on Neighborhoods and Noise

Communities surrounding a new or expanded airport could face:

• Increased aircraft noise
• Changes to property values
• Concerns about air quality and environmental impacts
• Shifts in local traffic and land use (more hotels, warehouses, parking lots)

Residents near candidate sites often want clear information, public meetings, and opportunities to give input before any major changes occur.

3. Split Airline Service and Travel Confusion

If some airlines or routes move to a second airport while others remain at ATL, travelers might experience:

• The need to double-check which airport they’re flying from or into
• More complicated connections, especially for international flights
• Difficulty when families or groups are flying on different carriers

Many metro areas with multiple airports work through this by:

• Specializing their airports (one for most international flights, one for low-cost domestic routes)
• Providing strong public information and signage

But this transition can still be confusing for locals and visitors.

What Is Atlanta Doing Instead of Building a Second Airport Right Now?

As of the latest commonly available information, Hartsfield–Jackson remains Atlanta’s single major commercial airport, and it continues to invest in:

• Terminal renovations and expansions
• Modernized security and baggage systems
• Runway and taxiway improvements
• Customer service upgrades inside the terminals

Meanwhile, nearby general aviation airports (PDK, RYY, FTY, LZU) already serve as reliever airports, handling:

• Private and corporate flights
• Flight training
• Air ambulance and public safety operations

This helps free up capacity at ATL for scheduled commercial flights, which indirectly benefits everyday travelers.

Regional planning agencies, such as the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and local governments periodically study:

• Long-term air travel demand
• Land use around existing airports
• Transportation improvements to better connect where people live and work with existing air facilities

What Does This Mean for You as a Traveler or Resident?

While Atlanta does not currently operate a full-scale second commercial airport, the ongoing discussion affects how you might plan travel and understand local transportation.

If You Live in Metro Atlanta

• Expect ATL to remain your primary airport for most domestic and virtually all international flights.
• If you live in Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, or North Fulton, you may want to stay informed about:
  • Any future proposals to add commercial service at nearby airports
  • Road and transit projects that could change your trip to ATL
• For business travel or private flights, check whether DeKalb–Peachtree (PDK), Cobb County (RYY), or Fulton County (FTY) offer services that are more convenient than ATL.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

• When you book flights, you are almost certainly flying into Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL).
• Plan your ground transportation:
  • MARTA rail is often the easiest way into Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
  • Rental cars, rideshare, taxis, and hotel shuttles are widely available
• Be aware that proposals for a second airport may be in the news, but your flight today will almost always be to or from ATL.

How to Stay Informed About Airport and Transportation Planning in Atlanta

If you want to follow the conversation about a potential second airport or major changes at ATL, you can keep an eye on updates from:

• City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation
  Manages Hartsfield–Jackson operations and long-term planning.
  Main offices are at:
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Phone (main airport information): typically available through airport information lines and customer service desks.

• Clayton County and City of College Park
  Often involved in planning and community discussions around ATL’s footprint.

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
  Coordinates regional transportation and growth planning across metro counties.

• County Governments and Local Planning Departments
  In Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett, these offices work with local airports like PDK, RYY, FTY, and LZU.

Community meetings, public hearings, and posted transportation plans are where residents can ask questions, voice concerns, and hear about long-term ideas, including any new airport proposals.

In summary, many people argue that Atlanta should consider a second airport to handle growth, reduce congestion, and improve travel options. Others point to cost, neighborhood impacts, and the strength of Hartsfield–Jackson as reasons to be cautious.

For now, ATL remains the central gateway to and from Atlanta, supported by several smaller regional airports. The second‑airport idea is less about replacing Hartsfield–Jackson and more about how Atlanta can stay ahead of future demand—a discussion that will likely continue as the region grows.