The groundbreaking for a new $5.2 million customs facility at the Fulton County Executive Airport recently captured global attention.
Fulton Co. Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts
While I’m excited about this milestone, I see it as only the beginning. The customs facility—expected to attract increasing numbers of international business travelers—is the first step in my broader vision to transform the airport into one of the Southeast’s premier business aviation hubs.
The airport opened in 1949 with a simple dirt runway on 985 acres along Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Over the decades, the runway was paved, a terminal was constructed, and the airport was renamed Charle Brown Field in honor of Fulton County Commissioner Charlie Brown, whose leadership helped shape its growth.
What a difference the decades have made.
Renamed the Fulton County Executive Airport in 2019 to better reflect its role as a critical gateway for companies conducting business in the region, the airport has undergone dramatic transformation. Today, it is the third-busiest airport in Georgia, with a control tower operating 24/7 that handled more than 80,000 flights last year.
I’m proud to have played an active role in advancing the airport’s master plan:
The new customs facility will allow international travelers to clear customs directly at the Fulton County Executive Airport, eliminating the need for Customs and Border Protection agents to travel from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The result will be faster, more secure, and more efficient international arrivals.
Expanding the existing runway will allow larger aircraft to depart with full fuel loads, enabling nonstop international flights.
Construction of a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) facility will strengthen emergency response capabilities and enhance operational safety.
Significantly expanding hangar capacity will accommodate more corporate aircraft serving leading companies such as The Home Depot, Norfolk Southern, and others that rely on the airport every day.
The master plan is a blueprint for my bigger, bolder vision.
Today, the Fulton County Executive Airport supports more than 1,200 jobs and generates nearly $200 million in economic activity for our local and regional economies. My goal is to build on that success by attracting even more investment, innovation, and opportunity.
I will continue to actively pursue recruiting companies focused on advanced manufacturing, research and development, design, and workforce training to use the airport as a gateway to the region and a catalyst for business growth. The mission is also to forge strong partnerships with research universities to attract international scholars, expand aviation education, and create new training opportunities for pilots pursuing advanced certifications.
The customs facility may be making headlines today, but my focus is on the opportunities it creates tomorrow. Every improvement we make positions the Fulton County Executive Airport to compete on a global stage, attract new business, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen our economy for decades to come.
As I’ve long said, “Fulton County is a big deal.” So is our airport. And when it comes to expanding its impact on our county, our region and the global economy, I believe the sky’s the limit.
Robb Pitts is the chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Fulton County
