Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport opens its new $1.4 billion Maynard J Jackson Jr International Terminal to passengers today, with the departure of a Delta Air Lines flight to Tokyo.
The 111,483.6 square metre (1.2 million square foot) terminal, which includes the new concourse F, has 12 gates, 64 self-service check-in kiosks and 80 ticket counter positions. It will handle all of the airport's international arrivals and departures along with the existing concourse E.
"The Maynard H Jackson Jr International Terminal and its concourse F will serve as a positive, welcoming first impression of our city for all those coming to do business here and will further the city's reputation as a cutting-edge leader," says Louis Miller, general manager of the airport, in a statement.
Atlanta is the busiest airport in the world, with 89.3 million passengers in 2010, according to the Airport Council International.
The airport handled 9.86 million international passengers in 2011, according to the airport.
Delta flight 295 to Tokyo operated by a Boeing 777-200LR will be the first to depart from the terminal at about 13:25 local time and Delta 177 from Dublin operated by a Boeing 767-300 will be the first to arrive at about 14:05 local.
Air Canada, Air France, Southwest Airlines subsidiary AirTran, British Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Lufthansa will use the terminal with Delta.
Construction of the new terminal began in June 2008.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
