Opening date set for Hartsfield-Jackson’s international terminal

"The opening of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is a major milestone for Hartsfield-Jackson airport and the City of Atlanta," Reed said. "The international terminal will strengthen Atlanta's position as the capital of the southeast and a vital global gateway for the United States. Our city has long been a preferred destination for international business and tourism, and I look forward to May 16 when we greet travelers from around the world in this new, state-of-the-art terminal."

The opening of the international terminal will coincide with record numbers of international passengers and flight operations at Hartsfield-Jackson. In 2011, Hartsfield-Jackson welcomed 9.86 million international passengers and managed 68,781 international flight operations (takeoffs and landings). The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that Atlanta will handle more than 13 million international passengers by 2015.

"The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal has a focus on efficiency and customer-friendly design, so it will serve our international guests well now and in the future," said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller.

Planning, design and construction of the international terminal project created about 3,000 jobs. It will take about 1,500 people to manage, operate and maintain the international terminal complex, creating as many as 1,000 jobs.

Construction of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and its 12-gate concourse began in summer 2008. The facility connects with the existing international concourse, creating a world-class, 40-gate travel complex.

The international terminal will eliminate the need for Atlanta-bound passengers to recheck their baggage. Passengers will access the international terminal via I-75 at Exit 239.