You and I aren’t the only ones making New Year’s resolutions for 2009 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is jumping on the bandwagon, too.
The airport has made 10 promises to passengers in efforts to make it the best airport.
“2009 will build on what we accomplished in 2008, bringing additional customer improvements and enhancements designed to make the airport a more hassle-free and convenient place for travelers,” says Ben DeCosta, aviation general manager. “We aim to be one of the world’s best airports, and Hartsfield-Jackson will achieve that goal by exceeding our customers’ expectations everyday in the New Year.”
ATL’s 10 resolutions include a new Web site, which will offer parking availability, security wait times and flight information, among other things. Another promise to customers involves ample parking, with more than 30,000 on-site spaces open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the hourly, economy, daily, Gold and Silver Reserve lots.
Wait times for security checkpoints will also be lessened, with passengers getting through lines in fewer than 10 minutes during off-peak times, and no more than 20 minutes during peak times.
The airport is also opening more than 70 new shops now through the summer, including upscale stores such as Sean John, Lacoste, Brooks Brothers and Mori Luggage; nail salons and spas will also be opening. Customers can also enjoy an improved facility in the terminal, as well as grounds that bloom with seasonal planters and sustainable landscaping throughout the property.
Travelers will also find more entertainment throughout the airport. An internationally focused art collection of nearly 250 peces are on display across the airport’s six concourses, including works from the permanent collection of the Arrowmont School of Art and Craft in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in Concourse T. A holiday music series and special event programs will also be planned, in addition to the regular pianists in the Atrium and on Concourse E.
ATL also promises customers access to more than 90 international destinations across 55 countries, including direct and nonstop flights to Asia, Australia, Europe, India, Latin America and the Middle East, and more nonstop service to Africa effective in the summer.
The airport also pledges to be more environmentally friendly by launching a recycling program in the early part of the year. It’s goal is to reduce the airport’s waste system by up to 70%.
Finally, a new 67.5-acre facility will open in November, which will house all rental car agencies. It will be located across Interstate 85 from the airport and will be joined to the terminals by a people mover train system that can move more than 10,000 people per hour to and from the passenger terminal along the 1.6-mile-long track.
