ATLANTA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been awarded almost $34 million in stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help pay for construction of the new Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. International Terminal.

“Hartsfield-Jackson is the economic engine of the Southeast, and we appreciate the stimulus funds granted to enhance the infrastructure of the world’s busiest airport,” said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta. “The new international terminal will create more jobs and economic opportunities for Georgia businesses and will make travel easier and more convenient for our growing number of international passengers.”

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program granted Hartsfield-Jackson $13.97 million to build the apron for the new international terminal, and the Transportation Security Administration gave $20 million to develop its inline baggage-screening system.

Construction on the international terminal, which began in summer 2008, is expected to be completed by spring 2012. The total cost is $1.35 billion.

The new 12-gate facility will connect via the automated people mover to the existing international Concourse E, creating a 40-gate international air travel complex at Hartsfield-Jackson. International travelers will have their own terminal entrance and exit via I-75 and their own parking decks. Another bonus is that Atlanta-bound passengers no longer will be required to recheck bags or complete screening before exiting the terminal.

Hartsfield-Jackson has nonstop international service to more than 90 cities in 55 countries. It is the largest employer in Georgia and has an annual economic impact on metro Atlanta of $23.5 billion.