Should Atlanta Build a Second Airport? A Local’s Guide to the Debate

Atlanta is proud of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It’s one of the world’s busiest airports and a major economic engine for the entire metro area. But that success raises a big question many locals and visitors now ask:

Should Atlanta build a second airport?

Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused look at why people are pushing for a second airport, what it could mean for you, and the key trade-offs city and state leaders would have to weigh.

Why This Question Matters in Atlanta

If you live in metro Atlanta, you already know:

• Traffic to and from ATL can be intense, especially along I-75, I-85, and the Downtown Connector.
• ATL is huge and crowded, with long security lines at peak times.
• Travelers from suburbs like Gwinnett, Cobb, Cherokee, Henry, and Fayette often drive a long way just to reach the airport.

As the region keeps growing, a lot of people are wondering whether one main commercial airport is enough for a metro area of Atlanta’s size.

The Case for a Second Airport in the Atlanta Area

Supporters of a second airport usually focus on a few core benefits.

1. Reducing Congestion at Hartsfield-Jackson

ATL handles enormous passenger and flight volume. A second airport could:

• Relieve some air traffic, lowering delays during bad weather or peak seasons.
• Potentially shorten lines at security and check-in if airlines shift some operations.
• Spread out demand for runways, gates, and airspace instead of relying on one mega-hub.

For everyday travelers, that could mean fewer missed connections, fewer delays, and a calmer airport experience, especially during holidays and major events.

2. Better Access for the Growing Suburbs

Metro Atlanta is sprawling, and not everyone lives within a quick drive or MARTA ride of Hartsfield-Jackson.

A second airport—especially if located north or northeast of the city—could:

• Save time for residents of Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Hall, Forsyth, Barrow, and Walton Counties.
• Offer shorter drive times for many business travelers and families.
• Reduce pressure on downtown highways, particularly around the Connector and I-285.

For people who now spend 60–90 minutes getting to ATL, a smaller, closer airport could make short trips and weekend getaways less of a hassle.

3. More Low-Cost and Point-to-Point Options

Because ATL is a major hub, a lot of its flights are geared toward connecting traffic, not necessarily cheap nonstops for locals.

A second airport might:

• Attract low-cost carriers that prefer smaller or secondary airports.
• Offer more point-to-point routes, such as direct flights to popular leisure destinations.
• Create fare competition, which can sometimes help keep prices in check.

Travelers from Atlanta-area suburbs often look at alternatives like Birmingham, Chattanooga, or Greenville-Spartanburg to find cheaper flights. A second metro Atlanta airport could keep more of that travel local.

4. Economic Development in New Areas

Airports often bring jobs and investment. A second airport could:

• Create construction jobs during planning and build-out.
• Support permanent jobs in aviation, maintenance, security, hospitality, and logistics.
• Attract businesses that rely on air access—like distribution centers, tech companies, and conference facilities.

For a city like Atlanta, which already markets itself as a transportation and logistics hub, a second airport could strengthen that identity in another part of the metro region.

Why Some People Oppose a Second Airport

There are also strong arguments against building a second airport, and many of them are very specific to Atlanta.

1. Cost and Use of Public Resources

Building a new commercial airport is extremely expensive. Opponents worry that:

• Taxpayer dollars would go toward new runways, terminals, roads, and transit connections.
• Money and attention might be pulled away from maintaining and upgrading Hartsfield-Jackson, MARTA, and local roads.
• A new airport could struggle to attract enough airlines and passengers to justify its cost, especially with ATL’s already strong network.

For Atlanta residents, that raises questions about priorities: Would a second airport be more important than, say, improving MARTA reach, expanding bus service, or repairing congested highways?

2. Hartsfield-Jackson’s Strength as a Global Hub

ATL is not just any airport—it’s a critical hub for major carriers and a top connecting point worldwide. Critics of a second airport worry it could:

• Dilute ATL’s hub power if airlines split operations.
• Make some routes less efficient if passengers and flights are spread across multiple airports.
• Create logistical challenges for airlines managing crews, maintenance, and schedules.

For travelers who rely on Atlanta’s extensive nonstop and connecting options, anything that weakens ATL’s hub role could mean fewer flight choices or more connections for some destinations.

3. Noise, Environment, and Land Use

Any new airport site would affect surrounding communities. Common concerns include:

• Noise from aircraft taking off and landing.
• Increased traffic on local roads and interstates leading to the new airport.
• Potential loss of green space, neighborhoods, or farmland depending on the location.

Many metro Atlanta communities have already been vocal about traffic, noise, and development pressure. A second airport could become a major quality-of-life debate wherever it’s proposed.

4. Existing Local Airports Already in the Mix

The Atlanta region already has several general aviation airports and facilities that sometimes come up in second-airport discussions, such as:

• DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) – 2000 Airport Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341
• Cobb County International Airport–McCollum Field (RYY) – 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Gwinnett County Airport–Briscoe Field (LZU) – 600 Briscoe Blvd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
• Fulton County Airport–Brown Field (FTY) – 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

These airports mainly serve private, corporate, and charter flights, not large-scale commercial airline service. Converting or expanding one of them into a full commercial airport would require major infrastructure changes, community agreement, and regulatory approvals.

Some residents prefer improving these existing facilities selectively rather than building a wholly new, large commercial airport.

How a Second Airport Could Change Daily Life in Atlanta

If a second airport were eventually built or an existing airport was upgraded for commercial service, here’s how it might affect you as an Atlanta resident or frequent visitor.

Travel Time and Convenience

You might:

• Choose your airport based on your home or office—similar to how people in other major cities pick between multiple airports.
• See shorter commutes to flights if the new airport is closer to your side of town.
• Have more options for early-morning or late-night flights without crossing the entire metro area.

However, you’d also need to pay attention to which airlines and routes operate at which airport, which could add some complexity when booking.

Price and Flight Options

In some cities, secondary airports bring in carriers that:

• Offer lower fares on certain routes, especially to leisure destinations.
• Use smaller planes but fly more frequently on popular routes.

You might see more budget-friendly options to vacation spots, but not necessarily more long-haul international flights, which often stay concentrated at the primary hub (in this case, Hartsfield-Jackson).

Getting to and from the Airport

Right now, ATL is directly connected to MARTA’s Red and Gold lines at the Airport Station, which is a major advantage.

For a second airport, you’d want to watch whether:

• Public transit connections (MARTA rail, bus rapid transit, or shuttles) are planned.
• New or improved interchanges on I-285, I-75, I-85, GA-400, or other major highways are built.
• There are plans for park-and-ride lots, ride-share zones, and taxi service that make access predictable.

If you rely on transit, a second airport that only has car-based access could feel less convenient, even if it’s geographically closer.

What Atlanta Residents Typically Want to Know

Below is a simple overview of the main pros and cons that often come up in local conversations.

How Decisions About a Second Airport Would Be Made

If you’re wondering who actually decides whether Atlanta builds a second airport, several key players would be involved:

• City of Atlanta – Owns and operates Hartsfield-Jackson through the Department of Aviation.
• State of Georgia – Plays a role in major transportation and economic development decisions.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Regulates airspace, safety, and airport approvals.
• Regional bodies like the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Study long-range transportation and growth.
• County and city governments in any proposed location – Handle zoning, land use, and local impacts.

There would typically be:

• Public meetings and hearings, especially in affected communities.
• Environmental and impact studies on noise, traffic, and land use.
• Long-term planning discussions about roads, transit, and economic development.

If you live in metro Atlanta and care about this issue, you can usually keep up with developments and participate by following:

• Atlanta City Hall – 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Hartsfield-Jackson Department of Aviation – 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Atlanta Regional Commission – 229 Peachtree St NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303

Local county commissioners and city councils near any potential site would also be central voices.

What This Means for You, Today

Right now, Hartsfield-Jackson remains Atlanta’s primary commercial airport, and for most residents and visitors:

• It will likely remain the main gateway for international and long-haul travel.
• Improvements to ATL’s terminals, runways, and access roads are often the first line of action before any second-airport decision.
• Discussions about a second airport are usually long-term and gradual, not immediate.

If you’re planning travel in or out of Atlanta, the most practical steps today are:

• Build in extra time to reach ATL during peak traffic.
• Consider MARTA if you’re near the Red or Gold line.
• Watch for any announcements about new services at regional airports (such as seasonal charter or limited commercial service) that might suit your needs.

The debate over whether Atlanta should build a second airport is ultimately about how a growing metro region balances capacity, convenience, cost, and community impact. For residents, staying informed and engaged in local discussions is the best way to help shape what Atlanta’s air travel future looks like.