Friday, September 7,
2001
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Airport manager: 5th runway expansion a must By JOHN
THOMPSON
Unless the proposed fifth runway is expanded to accommodate all planes, the economic engine that is Hartsfield International Airport could face a severe crunch. That's the assessment from Hartsfield general manager Benjamin DeCosta, who pledged to address residents' concerns over the massive redevelopment project. Authorities already have approved building the runway, with a 6,000-foot length, but city officials are now working for approval to add 3,000 more feet to accommodate larger aircraft, not just the commuter planes that the 6,000-foot runway will allow. "We had over 80 million passengers last year, along with 900,000 flights. We're the busiest airport in both categories, but we're also the most delayed airport," DeCosta said. The proposed $1 billion expansion of the fifth runway will go a long way toward cutting down the delays and keeping Hartsfield's economy expanding, he said. "The airport generated more than $16 billion a year in economic activity each year and the runway expansion will increase that," he said. But many South Fulton residents claim an expansion of the runway will lead to everything from bad air to environmental justice concerns. An opponents' group has vowed to fight the proposal in court if necessary. DeCosta dismisses the air quality argument. "The expansion will actually improve the air quality. There won't be so many planes idling waiting to take off," he said. DeCosta also said that claims of inverse condemnation would have to be interpreted by a court. Inverse condemnation is being argued by opponents of the expansion who claim the property values are being devalued by the city since the airport was placed in the area. The airport general manager said Atlanta city officials are looking hard at trying to make sure people's concerns are addressed. The Atlanta City Council is expected to discuss the expansion of the runway at a meeting next month. If an approval is granted, DeCosta said the runway could be completed by 2005.
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