What can $1.3 Billion Buy?

A year ago, Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport proudly opened a new 9,000-foot runway, giving the airfield its fifth runway --- and a greater capacity to land and take off more planes per hour than any other airport in the country.

Is has been touted as a key component to reduce delays, not only at Hartsfield-Jackson, but all along the East Coast because problems in Atlanta can cascade throughout the system. A spokesman for Delta, the airline that flies about 70 percent of the airport's passengers, said the new runway "certainly boosted our on-time performance."

Officials Wednesday recounted how the runway has helped the airport in its first year.

WHAT THE AIRPORT'S FIFTH RUNWAY HAS ACCOMPLISHED

85.5%

Reduction in minutes flights are held

134

Average hourly arrivals in good weather

100

Average hourly arrivals in poor weather

120

Average hourly departures

89,363

Landings on the fifth runway

5,917

Takeoffs on the fifth runway

26%

Reduction in taxi delays

78%

Reduction in flights held

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.