Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is spending nearly $1.4 million to handle crowds for the Super Bowl in Atlanta.

The Super Bowl will be held Feb. 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event is expected to draw more than 1 million visitors, with increased traffic particularly in areas around the Mercedes-Benz stadium, downtown and at the world's busiest airport.

The Monday after the Super Bowl is expected to be among the busiest days the airport has faced, with tens of thousands of travelers flying out of Atlanta. On record holidays, more than 90,000 travelers can pass through security checkpoints at the airport.

Officials are bracing in case the Super Bowl brings even bigger crowds. That may depend on where teams that play in the game are from. The travel day on Monday could be complicated by the fact that many travelers may head to the airport after the game Sunday and stay overnight in the terminal until their flight.

The city already dedicated $10 million from the general fund toward the Super Bowl in the city of Atlanta's budget adopted last year, including funding for the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Rescue and other expenditures.

And on Monday, the Atlanta City Council approved nearly $1.4 million in airport funds for Hartsfield-Jackson International to handle Super Bowl crowds.

The money will go toward facilities; aviation security supplies and services; airport marketing; airport public information advertising, printing, supplies and other expenses, according to documents submitted to city council.

The documents said the mayor’s administration “wants to ensure that the City is prepared to provide a clean, safe, attentive and welcoming city for all visitors.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia and Florida wildlife officials work to disentangle right whale No. 5217, called Division, off St. Simons Island on Dec. 4. (Courtesy o Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute)

Credit: Special

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools