Delta Air Lines has no planes and no operations in Paulding County, some 40 miles from its Atlanta hub.

But, in the broad, multi-pronged campaign to block plans for the commercialization of Paulding’s airport, the airline is one of the biggest players.

No longer is the opposition limited to a ragtag handful of local residents. Joining the fight are at least four heavy-hitting law firms. So far, those firms combined have filed three lawsuits; submitted open records requests for piles of documents; taken depositions from airport and county officials; and started a website and a nonprofit 501(c)(4) — a “social welfare” classification that includes issue advocacy groups.

Paulding County officials says the legal opposition is being financed by Delta. They also say Delta is meddling where Delta doesn’t belong — in a local matter.

See more of this story in Thursday's Atlanta Journal-Constution and on MyAJC.com for subscribers.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A Delta plane is seen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC