America's New Global Gateway Opens to the World

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal officially opened its doors today as passengers from around the world got their first look at the new facility in full operation.

The first departure from the 1.2 million-square-foot facility was Delta Air Lines Flight 295 to Tokyo, Japan. Passengers aboard Delta Flight 177 from Dublin, Ireland, were the first to arrive at the international terminal's 12-gate Concourse F.

"The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is America's new global gateway," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "This magnificent facility is an economic catalyst for the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and the entire southeastern United States, and it will help create jobs and new business opportunities for years to come."

"The new international terminal is Atlanta's new front door to the world," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer. "On behalf of Delta people worldwide, I want to congratulate Aviation General Manager Louis Miller, Mayor Kasim Reed and the city of Atlanta for seeing this project to its completion and thank them for continuing that strong partnership Delta has had with the Airport and city for more than 70 years."

The opening of the international terminal is perfectly timed to meet the growing demand for international air service in Atlanta. 2011 was a record year, with Hartsfield-Jackson hosting nearly 9.9 million international passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration has forecast that international passenger traffic will increase by more than 30 percent by 2015 -- to 13 million.

"The opening of the international terminal is huge for Atlanta," Miller said. "It gives international passengers their own terminal with its own entrance, it ends the baggage recheck process for Atlanta-bound passengers and it enhances the Airport's overall capacity now and for the future."

What passengers need to know:

• Atlanta-bound international passengers no longer will have to recheck baggage, and they will exit through the international terminal.
• All passengers with flights departing the United States will check in at the international terminal.
• The international terminal has its own entrance and is accessible from I-75, Exit 239.
• The Plane Train people mover and the pedestrian walkway have been extended and connect Concourse F and the international terminal to all concourses and the domestic terminal.
• The Federal Inspection Station (customs and immigration) on Concourse E will remain open and will serve inbound connecting passengers.

Planning, design and construction of the international terminal created about 3,000 jobs. Nearly 1,000 jobs are expected to be created to operate and maintain the 1.2 million-square-foot facility. The international terminal connects with the existing international concourse, creating a world-class, 40-gate air travel complex. It eliminates the need for Atlanta-bound passengers to recheck their baggage. Passengers access the international terminal via I-75 at Exit 239. More than 3,500 parking spaces are available. The ticketing hall features 64 self-service check-in kiosks and 80 ticketing counters. For more information, please visit www.atlanta-airport.com/internationalterminal.