Atlanta prepares for new runway

People who want take a flight to Atlanta from May 27th could experience fewer delays as a new 9,000 foot runway is due to enter use at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The impact of the new runway could be felt globally, the Associated Press reports, as less delays with shorter time spans could improve services across the world.

Commenting on the new runway at the beginning of a 55-day countdown, the mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Frankin, said that she considered it "the most important in America".

In order to mark the opening, Hartsfield-Jackson is holding five kilometre fun run tomorrow and a range of "family orientated activities".

The new runway will be the fifth at the airport, which is currently involved in a ten year, $5.4 billion (£2.87 billion) development programme.

Hartsfield-Jackson also claims to be "the world's busiest passenger airport" and recent figures from the hub suggest that it catered for over 12 million passengers during the first two months of 2006.

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