For Immediate Release
July 2, 2020
Contact:
Office of Policy and Communications
(678) 920-0857
Hartsfield-Jackson Prepares for Fourth of July Holiday Weekend
Airport Officials highlight ATLStrong safety measures implemented post COVID-19
ATLANTA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) officials expect to host approximately 400,000 passengers during the Independence Day weekend running from Thursday, July 2 through Monday July 6. The passenger totals (comprised of origination & destination and connecting passengers) mark a substantial increase in volume since the COVID-19 pandemic first impacted the aviation industry in early 2020.
“Safety, as always, is our first concern, and we’re following the leadership of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms” said ATL General Manager John Selden in a press briefing held at the Airport Thursday, July 2. “In order to remain ATLStrong, we have implemented measures throughout the facility to increase social distancing for our guests, we’ve installed hundreds of new hand sanitizing stations, we’re handing out masks to passengers who need them, and we’re working with our airline, concessionaire, and law enforcement partners to keep our customers and employees protected.”
Mr. Selden reminded passengers traveling over the weekend to arrive in the Airport at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure time, and he pointed out that concessionaires on the concourses are open and operating under new COVID-19 protocols.
In preparation for the return to increased air travel, ATL has produced an in-depth, comprehensive resumption of operations playbook available to the public on the ATL website (https://www.atl.com/atlstrong/ ).
Operations
Specific operational steps designed to increase safety at ATL include:
Social distancing floor markings and signage, overhead public address announcements throughout the terminal and on the Plane Train, digital signage on the SkyTrain, and social media updates advising the public of changes in the airport
Access to more than 4 million face coverings available for distribution to passengers
Installation of 250 permanent, “smart” hand sanitizing stations throughout the entire Central Passenger Terminal Complex (CPTC), with plans to install 150 additional units. The units are self-monitoring and inform airport staff when refills are necessary.
Implementation of an aggressive cleaning protocol to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The public areas in both domestic and international terminals are staffed and cleaned daily by trained professionals. An environmentally friendly Peroxide-based multi-surface cleaner and disinfectant is used as the general cleaning solution for all activities, and it is carried on all cleaning carts.
Increased frequency of cleaning efforts at gate seating areas (at least five times per day and as needed).
Extended queues at the security checkpoints to allow passengers in-line the opportunity to maintain social distancing.
Installation of plexiglass partitions at security checkpoints to further encourage social distancing.
Concessionaires
ATL’s marketing team is working with the Airport’s more than 300 concessionaires to inform the public about the status of retail, food and beverage, and service outlets. The We Are Open integrated campaign provides customers with a constantly updated list of concessionaire availability on each concourse (atl.com/skypointe/).
Thursday’s press availability also introduced the media to COVID-19 related safety efforts made by retail and food and beverage concessionaires.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) is the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, serving more than 110 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and 70 international destinations in more than 50 countries. ATL boasts a direct economic impact of $51.5 billion in metro Atlanta and a total direct economic impact of $82 billion across the Southeast. The Airport is the largest employer in Georgia, with more than 63,000 individuals working on-site. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, sustainability, architectural engineering and construction. In 2016, ATL set in motion a multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, ATLNext, which will modernize the Domestic Terminal, extend two concourses, construct several parking decks, add a sixth runway, expand cargo facilities and pave the way for a 440-room hotel with Class A office space. For more information, visit www.atl.com.
