Hartsfield-Jackson expects busy summer

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport expects 1.9 million travelers to come through the airport in the next week as Memorial Day travel kicks off the busy summer season.

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AJC File While some security wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson have exceeded 20 minutes this year, they have not exceeded 20 minutes at all three of the domestic checkpoints at the same time.

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Airport officials expect passenger traffic to be up about 2 percent for the week compared with the same period last year. For the full summer, airline seat capacity is expected to be up 1 percent.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration said passengers should be prepared for security measures at the airport, including increased use of three full-body imaging machines at Hartsfield-Jackson.

TSA said wait times during off-peak periods are typically less than 10 minutes, wait times could be 10-20 minutes long during peak times. The busiest periods include Monday mornings, Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons and evenings.

According to TSA spokesman Jon Allen, while some security wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson have exceeded 20 minutes this year, they have not exceeded 20 minutes at all three of the domestic checkpoints at the same time. In addition to the main security checkpoint with 22 lanes, TSA also has a south checkpoint and north checkpoint.

Meanwhile, major carriers including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines  have added surcharges of $10 to $30 each way to summer air fares for June 10 through Aug. 22, with the exception of July 4. The surcharges are included in base prices.