Nature meets aviation at world’s busiest airport as Atlanta revives hidden river

Beneath the roar of more than 275,000 daily travelers and over 190 destinations, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport hides a little-known secret, it sits atop the headwaters of Georgia’s Flint River.

Now, this forgotten waterway, once buried under runways and terminals, is getting a second life. Environmental advocates and city planners are transforming the hidden river into a public green space, blending aviation, conservation, and community development. The “Finding the Flint” initiative, supported by American Rivers, The Conservation Fund, and the Atlanta Regional Commission, aims to build walking trails, food stalls, and an official aircraft observation deck near the river.

But the plan isn’t without challenges. The risk of bird strikes remains a significant safety concern for airport officials. According to the FAA, over 22,000 wildlife strikes were reported in the U.S. last year. Hartsfield-Jackson alone recorded more than 300 bird strikes in 2024. In past incidents, Delta Air Lines jets have had to return mid-flight due to bird impacts, though none resulted in injury.

Airport authorities are treading carefully. Wildlife deterrence strategies, like sound cannons and landscaping changes, are being intensified to balance ecological restoration with air traffic safety.

The project comes as Atlanta’s airport surges forward with a $6 billion upgrade plan, including a $300 million overhaul of its plane train and a full expansion of Concourse D by 2029. These improvements aim to reduce train wait times to 90 seconds and increase passenger flow by 20%, aligning with the airport’s longstanding title as the busiest in the world, boasting 108 million passengers in 2024.

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