Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport commissioned a long-awaited fifth runway May 16 with two ceremonial flights and will open it fully for commercial operations May 27 -- an addition it expects will substantially reduce delays at the world’s busiest airport and justify the $1.3 billion cost.
Delta, the airport’s largest carrier with more than 40% of its customers flying to, from or through the airport, said it expects the runway to immediately improve the airports’ arrival and departure rates by 25% to 35%. Delta also expects the additional capacity to significantly reduce delays for its customers using the airport during severe weather and peak travel periods.
The airport had an on-time arrival rate of 76.5% and an on-time departure rate of 77.6% in March, according to the most recently released Dept. of Transportation statistics.
AirTran is the airport’s second largest carrier.