Why Atlanta Is Debating a Second Airport: What Residents Should Know

For anyone who lives in metro Atlanta—or even visits a few times a year—the question comes up often: does Atlanta need a second major airport in addition to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)?

This isn’t just a transportation planning question. It affects traffic, jobs, neighborhoods, business growth, travel costs, and quality of life across the region.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused look at why a second airport is being discussed, what it could mean for you, and what options are actually on the table.

How Atlanta’s Current Airport System Works Today

Hartsfield–Jackson: The Region’s Dominant Gateway

Hartsfield–Jackson is Atlanta’s primary commercial airport and one of the busiest in the world. For metro residents, it serves several key roles:

• Main hub for domestic and international travel
• Major employment center for the south side of the region
• Economic engine for airlines, logistics, hotels, and tourism
• Primary connection point for travelers across the Southeast

Because of its scale and central role, ATL captures the vast majority of commercial flights in Georgia. Smaller regional airports exist, but they don’t offer the same level of scheduled passenger service.

Other Airports Around the Metro Area

Metro Atlanta already has several airports, but most are focused on general aviation (private planes, business jets, flight schools) or limited commercial service.

Commonly mentioned options include:

• DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Chamblee

  • Major general aviation airport
  • Busy with business jets, private aviation, and charters
  • Very close to dense residential and commercial areas

• Cobb County International Airport–McCollum Field (RYY) in Kennesaw

  • General aviation and business aircraft
  • Supports Cobb County businesses and corporate travel

• Gwinnett County Airport–Briscoe Field (LZU) in Lawrenceville

  • General aviation with some corporate operations
  • Occasionally discussed as a candidate for limited commercial use

• Fulton County Airport–Charlie Brown Field (FTY) on the west side

  • General aviation and charter flights
  • Convenient to downtown and Westside neighborhoods

• Atlanta Regional Airport–Falcon Field (FFC) in Peachtree City

  • General aviation, flight schools, and recreational flying

Key point: None of these currently function as a true secondary commercial airport on the scale of ATL. That’s what makes the “second airport” debate so specific and complex.

Why People Say Atlanta Needs a Second Airport

The push for a second airport often comes from a combination of capacity, convenience, economics, and regional growth pressures.

1. Growing Demand and Capacity Concerns

Metro Atlanta’s population keeps increasing, and so does demand for air travel:

• More residents flying for business and leisure
• More visitors coming in for conventions, sports, and tourism
• More cargo and logistics operations tied to the region’s economy

As a result, some local observers worry that relying on one main commercial airport could:

• Create capacity bottlenecks in peak years
• Limit the ability to add more flights and routes
• Lead to longer delays during bad weather or disruptions

A second airport could, in theory, spread traffic and give airlines and passengers more flexibility when ATL is congested.

2. Convenience for Suburban and Exurban Residents

If you live far from Hartsfield–Jackson, your “airport experience” often includes a long drive before you even get to the terminal.

Residents in these areas often find ATL inconvenient:

• North Fulton and Forsyth (Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek)
• Cobb County (Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth)
• Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Duluth, Buford)
• Outer suburbs like Carroll, Paulding, Barrow, and Hall counties

For people in these communities, a second airport—especially one located north or northeast of downtown—could mean:

• Shorter drives and less time in traffic
• Avoiding I‑75/I‑85 congestion through downtown
• More convenient access for early morning or late-night flights

This is similar to what you see in other large metro areas with multiple airports (for example, one airport serving the north/west side and another handling the south/east side).

3. Resilience During Disruptions

Because ATL is so central to airline operations, any major disruption there can ripple across the country:

• Severe weather
• Power outages or infrastructure problems
• Security incidents or runway closures

When everything runs through one main airport, there’s less redundancy. A second significant airport in the metro area could:

• Serve as a backup for diversions or emergency operations
• Provide airlines with alternate operating options
• Improve the region’s overall transportation resilience

4. Economic Development and Jobs

A major airport usually becomes a job generator and business magnet. Around ATL, you can see this in:

• Airport-area hotels and convention facilities
• Logistics hubs, warehouses, and freight services
• Airline maintenance and support services
• Restaurants, retail, and airport-related offices

Supporters of a second airport argue it could:

• Spread economic growth to another part of the metro area
• Attract new companies, especially those needing air access
• Create construction jobs in the short term and operational jobs long term

For communities that feel left out of the core airport economy in Clayton and south Fulton counties, this can be a strong motivator.

Why Some People Oppose or Question a Second Airport

Not everyone believes a second airport is the right move for Atlanta. Concerns tend to fall into a few major categories.

1. Cost, Complexity, and Long Timelines

Building or converting a truly functional second commercial airport is expensive and complex:

• Land acquisition and environmental reviews
• Runway and terminal construction or major upgrades
• Road, rail, and transit connections
• Air traffic control and safety infrastructure

Local residents and leaders worry that:

• The cost to taxpayers could be very high
• Projects could take many years or even decades
• Money might be better spent on expanding ATL or improving public transit to and from the airport

2. Noise, Traffic, and Local Community Impacts

Any new or expanded airport brings noise and traffic to nearby neighborhoods:

• Aircraft noise during takeoff and landing
• Increased vehicle traffic around access roads
• Pressure on local schools, parks, and infrastructure

Residents near existing general aviation airports like PDK, RYY, and LZU are often cautious about commercial expansion because it can:

• Change the character of nearby communities
• Affect property values and quality of life
• Increase concerns about safety and pollution

3. Airline Hub Strategy and Market Realities

Atlanta functions as a major hub city. Airlines carefully balance:

• Hub consolidation (centralizing operations at one big airport)
• Operating costs (staff, gates, maintenance, slot usage)
• Travel demand (how many passengers want flights at each airport)

Airlines often find it more efficient to concentrate their operations at a single large hub like ATL rather than splitting flights between multiple airports in the same region. Without strong airline interest, a second airport may struggle to attract enough:

• Daily flights
• Nonstop destinations
• Competitive ticket prices

This is a crucial point: you can build an airport, but you can’t force airlines to use it at scale.

4. Environmental and Land Use Concerns

Developing a new major airport or significantly expanding an existing one raises:

• Environmental questions (air quality, water runoff, wildlife impact)
• Land use issues (encroachment on green space or farmland)
• Long-term planning challenges (balancing growth with sustainability)

Residents and local governments often want thorough public input and careful review before supporting any large infrastructure expansion.

Potential Candidates for a “Second Airport” Role

When Atlanta residents talk about a second airport, they’re usually referring to turning an existing airfield into a more robust commercial facility, not building one from scratch.

Here’s how commonly discussed options are often framed locally:

From a resident’s standpoint, the main takeaway is this: no single airport has yet emerged as the clearly agreed-upon “second ATL.” Any move in that direction would require significant community debate and long-term planning.

How a Second Airport Could Affect Daily Life in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or the surrounding suburbs, a second airport—if it ever happens—could affect you in several practical ways.

For Frequent Flyers and Business Travelers

You might experience:

• More flight options from different parts of the region
• Potential shorter drive times depending on where you live
• Possible fare competition on certain routes, though this depends heavily on airline strategy
• A need to check which airport you’re flying from every time you book

For example, someone in Suwanee might prefer a Gwinnett-based airport if it offered nonstop flights to major business destinations, while a traveler in College Park would likely still stick with Hartsfield–Jackson.

For Local Drivers and Commuters

A second airport could:

• Shift some traffic away from I‑85/I‑75 corridors near ATL
• Increase congestion on highways serving the new/expanded airport location
• Spur new road projects or changes in transit routes

If you commute near any candidate airport, planning and community input around road capacity and traffic mitigation would be important to you.

For Nearby Neighborhoods

If you live close to an airport that might expand, you might face:

• Changes in noise patterns from additional takeoffs and landings
• More commercial development (hotels, parking, offices)
• Potential rezoning or new business opportunities
• Ongoing discussions about noise abatement and quality-of-life protections

Residents in these neighborhoods usually want clear information early, along with opportunities to comment through public meetings or local government hearings.

Would a Second Airport Actually Make Flying Cheaper?

Many Atlanta travelers wonder if a second airport would mean lower airfare. The answer is: not automatically.

Ticket prices in Atlanta depend heavily on:

• How many airlines are competing on a route
• How many seats are available
• Overall demand and travel patterns
• Airline hub strategies

A second airport might encourage some competitive pressure if it:

• Attracted additional airlines
• Created new point-to-point routes
• Allowed low-cost or niche carriers to operate more easily

However, if the same dominant airlines simply split flights between two airports, pricing might not change dramatically. For residents, this means expectations should stay realistic: convenience and resilience are more certain benefits than guaranteed lower fares.

What Local Residents Can Do If They Care About This Issue

If you live in the Atlanta area and you’re interested in the future of local airports, several channels can help you stay informed and provide input.

1. Follow Regional and Local Planning Discussions

Key public agencies and local governments often play a role in airport planning, including:

• City of Atlanta Department of Aviation
  Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone (City Hall main): 404-330-6000

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main information line: 800-897-1910

• County governments where key general aviation airports are located:

  • DeKalb County Government (PDK) – Decatur
  • Cobb County Government (RYY) – Marietta
  • Gwinnett County Government (LZU) – Lawrenceville
  • Fulton County Government (FTY) – Atlanta

These governments regularly hold public meetings, hearings, and planning sessions where airport-related topics may be discussed.

2. Engage with Your City or County Officials

If you have strong views—either supportive or concerned—about a second airport or airport expansion near where you live, you can:

• Contact your city council member or county commissioner
• Attend local planning commission or zoning board meetings
• Submit written comments when comprehensive plans or airport master plans are updated

Local input often plays a significant role in shaping how aggressive or cautious officials are about airport development.

3. Track Community and Neighborhood Organizations

In neighborhoods near existing airports, civic associations, neighborhood groups, and business organizations frequently:

• Share updates about potential airport changes
• Organize community forums
• Coordinate responses to planning proposals

If you live near PDK, RYY, LZU, FTY, or close to ATL itself, staying involved with your local neighborhood association can keep you informed.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, the “second airport” conversation comes down to a few core ideas:

• Hartsfield–Jackson will remain the main airport for the foreseeable future. It is deeply established as a major national and international hub.

• A true second commercial airport would be a long-term, large-scale undertaking. It involves major infrastructure, airline interest, and extensive community input.

• Potential benefits include:

  • More convenient access for some parts of the metro area
  • Greater system resilience during disruptions
  • Additional economic development near the new/expanded facility

• Potential drawbacks include:

  • High public cost and long construction timelines
  • Noise, traffic, and land use impacts on surrounding neighborhoods
  • Uncertainty about airline participation and actual ticket price changes

For now, most Atlanta-area residents will continue to use Hartsfield–Jackson while watching ongoing discussions about how to balance regional growth, convenience, and neighborhood impacts. If the future of air travel in metro Atlanta matters to you, participating in local planning conversations is the most direct way to help shape what comes next.