Business
Business

Atlanta airport: Hartsfield-Jackson to add more de-icing pads

The move is aimed at reducing flight cancellations during snowy or icy weather.
January 7, 2017 Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport : Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport crews had 93-thousand gallons of de-icing fluid to spray on planes on their 16-pads where planes that parked overnight were de-iced before taking off on Saturday January 7, 2017.The anticipated snowstorm for metro Atlanta and beyond never came, and instead many people woke up Saturday disappointed by the lack of snow and toÊface potentially dangerous icy conditions on the road.Ê Even so, metro Atlanta roads warmed as temperatures rose throughout the morning. Georgia Power said it restored power to 36,000 customers overnight. But as winds kicked up Saturday morning, the number of affected customers roughly doubled in an hour, from about 8,000 at 8 a.m. to more than 15,000. Shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday,ÊGeorgia PowerÕs outage mapÊshowed a smaller number of customers, 14,587, were still without power, after freezing rain and snow swept through the area overnight. JOHN SPINK /JSPINK@AJC.COM

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

January 7, 2017 Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport : Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport crews had 93-thousand gallons of de-icing fluid to spray on planes on their 16-pads where planes that parked overnight were de-iced before taking off on Saturday January 7, 2017.The anticipated snowstorm for metro Atlanta and beyond never came, and instead many people woke up Saturday disappointed by the lack of snow and toÊface potentially dangerous icy conditions on the road.Ê Even so, metro Atlanta roads warmed as temperatures rose throughout the morning. Georgia Power said it restored power to 36,000 customers overnight. But as winds kicked up Saturday morning, the number of affected customers roughly doubled in an hour, from about 8,000 at 8 a.m. to more than 15,000. Shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday,ÊGeorgia PowerÕs outage mapÊshowed a smaller number of customers, 14,587, were still without power, after freezing rain and snow swept through the area overnight. JOHN SPINK /JSPINK@AJC.COM
By
April 3, 2018

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport plans to build more de-icing pads to reduce flight cancellations during snowstorms.

The Atlanta airport plans to build a $50 million south de-icing facility with space for five large planes to be de-iced at once.

When it is finished, the airport will have space for about 20 planes to be de-iced at a time, according to Hartsfield-Jackson interim assistant general manager of planning and development Tom Nissalke. He hopes to start the project next year.

VIDEO: How much do you know about Atlanta's airport? Learn more about Hartsfield-Jackson International here.

The goal is for airlines to not have to cancel as many flights during wintry weather. With more de-icing pads, the waits in line for de-icing before takeoff are shorter and airlines can get more planes out per hour.

Back in 2011, the airport had only about 11 de-icing pads, drawing attention as a major chokepoint driving flight cancellations during an ice storm that year. Hartsfield-Jackson then added five de-icing pads completed in late 2015.

The additional south de-icing facility will add more capacity during snowy or icy conditions. “When you see all these cancellations, it’s primarily because there’s not enough de-icing throughput,” Nissalke said.

About the Author

As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories. She graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.

Follow Kelly Yamanouchi on facebookFollow Kelly Yamanouchi on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Trains line the tracks during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern has become a prominent corporate citizen in the metro region, donating millions to charitable causes. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific shareholders OK merger. Here’s what’s next.

The proposed mega-railroad company would be headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, sending anxiety through the company's Atlanta ranks, where Norfolk Southern is based.

Design firm chosen to turn Midtown Atlanta eyesore into high-profile park

The look and feel of a planned public park in Atlanta’s largest high-rise district is soon going to take form.

Atlanta area home prices fell in October with steep declines in some places

Metro Atlanta's median sales prices dropped in October as more inventory is on the market.

The Latest

Older model used vehicles for sale at an independent dealership in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 11, 2023. Photo courtesy of Chris Hardesty.

Credit: Special

Beyond the odometer: What matters most in a used car

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.