Runway 10-28: The Most Important Runway in America Open in
May
By Charisma Cannon
Nine-thousand feet of concrete, 3,000 lights, 12 tons of paint, constructed
with enough dirt to fill the Georgia Dome four times, five years in
the making. . .
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's fifth runway, "the
most important runway in America," is set to open during May 2006,
on-time and under budget and will be celebrated May 16 before a captivated,
global audience. And for Hartsfield-Jackson, it is the single most
important addition to the Airport since the construction of its terminal
more than 25 years ago.
But the fifth runway is more than just another runway opening. Its
opening signals a shift in the National Airspace System. Hartsfield-Jackson
is one of the most delay-impacted airports in the nation, and a delay
here can spell delays for many airports across the country. The fifth
runway is expected to decrease delays at Hartsfield-Jackson by 50
percent, causing a decrease in delays across the country. What does
that mean for the traveling public: Savings in time. What does that
mean for the airlines: Savings in money. The fifth runway is expected
to save the airlines operating at Hartsfield-Jackson some $5 million
a week.
To commemorate its phenomenal achievement, the Airport has planned
a festive lineup of events and contests worthy of a world-class airport.
The lineup includes:
Opening Ceremony /Media Day
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
8:00 am
Employee Day on the Fifth Runway - for all
Friday, May 19, 2006
11:00 am
5K on the Fifth Runway
Saturday, May 20, 2006
7:30 am
Community Day on the Fifth Runway
May 20, 2006
9:00 am
The Bermuda Department of Tourism and Delta Air Lines have partnered
to give away two all-expense paid trips to Bermuda to lucky listeners
of local Atlanta radio stations and those who log onto Hartsfield-Jackson's
Web site to answer select questions as part of a fifth runway contest.
In addition to that, the airport is calling all artists to design
a stamp and poster that forever captures the moment of the runway's
opening.
"Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the single most
important asset not only to this City, but to the State of Georgia
and the entire Southeastern region with an annual economic impact
of $19 billion," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "Because of
this airport, we are a strong business center attracting opportunities
from around the world."
Indeed the fifth runway opens Atlanta to the world, making it a connector
to people, places and resources.
For more information regarding the lineup of events, contests and
additional activities surrounding the opening of the fifth runway,
log onto www.atlanta-airport.com/fifth
to view the entire schedule of events.
© 2006 Hartsfield-Jackson News. A Publication from Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport. All rights reserved.
