US: Giant canopies part of $6b Atlanta airport expansion

Two giant, translucent canopies spanning several lanes of roadway and sidewalks outside the domestic terminal will be among the most visible aspects of a $6b expansion and renovation project at the world's busiest airport during the next 20 years, officials announced Thursday. A computer animation unveiled at the Atlanta airport's inaugural "State of the Airport" address shows the massive structures enclosing the drop-off and pickup lanes outside the main terminal and connecting the terminal to parking decks. The canopy will protect travelers from the elements "while making a memorable impression of the world-class stature of Atlanta," said Miguel Southwell, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport also plans to update the interior of the domestic passenger terminal and concourses and add a sixth runway and a 400-room hotel, officials said. Parts of the ticketing areas where passengers check in for domestic flights will be "flooded with natural light" when renovations are complete, Southwell said. Work begins on concourse renovations later this year. The project accelerates next year with work on parking decks, passenger gates and the terminal renovation, officials said. Atlanta's airport handled 101.5m passengers last year, more than any other in the world, officials said. Among US airports in 2015, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was second in passenger traffic with nearly 77m. Los Angeles International Airport was third with nearly 75m, according to statistics from those airports. Among other goals for the coming year: improving wait times for passenger security screenings.<br/>