Hartsfield-Jackson Airport volunteers participate in annual FOD Walk

Hartsfield-Jackson’s 11th annual event draws nearly 100 volunteers

ATLANTA – 2012-11-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport today held its 11th annual Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Walk, during which nearly 100 volunteers searched for and removed debris.

Aviation officials closed Runway 8L/26R and the north cargo ramp for about 30 minutes as laser sharp volunteers scanned for FOD. In the end, a few empty bags were returned, but some participants managed to remove pieces of paper and small rocks from the runway.

“We received a great response from airline and Airport volunteers who wanted to be a part of this exciting event,” said Louis Miller, aviation general manager. “In spite of this morning’s weather, we are extremely proud of the turnout and the support given to us throughout the years.”

Overall, the amount of FOD collected was minimal. Hartsfield-Jackson performs daily FOD inspections to ensure that the airfield is clear of debris.

“Our Operations team does an outstanding job in identifying and removing foreign object debris from our runways. By regularly canvassing the airfield for hazardous debris, Hartsfield-Jackson has consistently managed to maintain an excellent safety record,” added Miller.

The annual FOD Walk is a key component in the Airport’s overall public safety awareness program. The event is designed to increase public awareness about the potential damage that even small objects – such as rocks, luggage straps and plastics can create.

Employees are encouraged to pick up debris along the roadways and report items spotted on the airfield to the Airport’s Airside Operations unit.

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson is the world’s busiest airport, serving more than 92 million passengers annually with nonstop service to 160 U.S. destinations and nearly 70 international destinations in more than 45 countries. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, architectural engineering and construction – including the 2011 Global and North American Airport Efficiency Excellence Award from the Air Transport Research Society (for more information, go to www.atrsworld.org). It is undergoing $6 billion-plus in capital improvements, which include a new, energy-efficient rental car center; a new, 12-gate international terminal (for more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com/internationalterminal/;and aesthetic and functional upgrades to its concourses, people movers and parking services. For more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com. Check out the Airport’s YouTube channel by visiting http://www.youtube.com/AtlantaHartsfield, and become a fan on Facebook.