Busy is the name of the game at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In 2005, the airport was named the "World's Busiest Passenger Airport" for the 7th consecutive year. To ensure that it continues to receive this award and to provide the best customer experience to millions of travelers each year, the airport is busy with numerous, major improvement projects including, the completion of the Fifth Runway, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and cosmetic upgrades throughout, to name a few.

Owned by the City of Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson is critical to the growth of the region. Atlanta's metropolitan area is expected to grow to over 6.5 million in 2025, which will mean an increased amount of traffic through the airport. By expanding and improving the airport, Georgia businesses can compete globally and the local economic vitality will be strengthened. The airport's current master plan, which was created in the 1990s, focuses on the future needs of the ever growing region.

The first major improvement to Hartsfield-Jackson will be the completed 9,000 foot fifth runway. The Fifth Runway will save the airline industry approximately $260 million per year or $5 million a week by allowing more flights than ever to arrive on time. The runway opens this Spring.

Construction also is underway on the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facilities (CONRAC). Hartsfield-Jackson is the fourth largest rental car market in the United States. CONRAC will consolidate 10 car rental agencies in one 90 acre site. A new automated people mover will connect the terminal to CONRAC, and the new development will be fully operational by December 2008.

To make the time spent in the airport more appealing cosmetic upgrades to the facility will be completed by early 2007. These cosmetic changes include columns that are more aesthetically pleasing, better lighting and chairs that are more comfortable in the terminals. Additionally, the airport recently launched Wi-Fi, a wireless network that will allow travelers to connect laptop computers and other wireless devices to the Internet from anywhere in the airport. With this new service, all 5.8 million square feet of the airport have become one enormous "hot spot."

With these changes and improvements, travelers can rest assured that flying to a convention or tradeshow in Atlanta will be an effortless experience.