DeKalb–Peachtree Airport

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport
Name	DeKalb–Peachtree Airport
Nativename	Peachtree–DeKalb Airport
Iata	PDK
Icao	KPDK
Faa	PDK
Type	Public
Owner	DeKalb County
City-served	Atlanta, Decatur, Chamblee
Location	Sandy Springs / Doraville, DeKalb County
Elevation ft	1,020
Elevation m	311
Pushpin label	PDK
R1 number	3L/21R
R1 length ft	6,000
R1 surface	Asphalt
R2 number	3R/21L
R2 length ft	5,000
R2 surface	Asphalt

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport is a public airport in DeKalb County, Georgia serving the Atlanta metropolitan area, positioned between Atlanta and Chattanooga corridors and adjacent to Interstate 285, Interstate 85, and State Route 141. The airport functions as a reliever for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, hosts fixed-base operators such as Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation, and supports general aviation, corporate aviation, and limited charter services. DeKalb–Peachtree has played roles in regional transportation, emergency response, and aviation business development since its establishment.

History

The site originated as part of early 20th-century airfields linking the Southern Airways era to postwar expansion near Atlanta Municipal Airport and later interacting with aviation elements from Delta Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines. Development accelerated with DeKalb County acquisition and infrastructure projects influenced by regional planning from entities like the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and policy discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. The airport saw surges in corporate traffic tied to Fort McPherson-era movements, business activity from Peachtree City firms, and aviation education aligned with institutions such as Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University affiliates and Georgia Institute of Technology aerospace programs. Historic events include adaptations for Hurricane Katrina relief operations and logistic support during major sports events associated with Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Atlanta Braves seasons.

Facilities and infrastructure

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport comprises two asphalt runways with lighting systems compliant with FAA standards and an air traffic control tower integrated into the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center structure. Ground services are provided by fixed-base operators including Signature Flight Support and SheltAir, while maintenance facilities host operators from Bombardier and Gulfstream Aerospace clientele. Terminal areas accommodate charter operators and flight schools such as ATP Flight School and local Civil Air Patrol units. Navigational aids and safety equipment follow protocols established by the Federal Aviation Administration and coordination with National Weather Service offices serving Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport traffic patterns.

Operations and airlines

Operations concentrate on general aviation, corporate flights, air taxi services, and fractional ownership programs from companies linked to NetJets and Flexjet. Scheduled commuter airline service has historically connected to regional carriers including predecessors of Skybus Airlines and Chautauqua Airlines on codeshare networks with American Airlines and Delta Connection. The airport supports rotorcraft operators tied to Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky operations, aerial survey flights collaborating with entities like ESRI and USGS, and medical evacuation flights coordinated with Emory Healthcare and Grady Health System.

Accidents and incidents

Notable events have been investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, with incidents involving corporate jets registered to companies in the Atlanta Financial Center and smaller aircraft associated with local flight schools. Investigations referenced aircraft types including Cessna Citation series and Piper PA-28 models, and involved coordination among DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Fulton County Fire Rescue mutual aid. Responses to runway incursions and ground collisions prompted safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration and infrastructure changes managed by county authorities.

Economic and community impact

The airport is a major economic engine for DeKalb County and the Atlanta metropolitan area, supporting jobs tied to aviation maintenance, hospitality linked to The Battery, and corporate relocations from centers such as Perimeter Center and Buckhead. It contributes to regional resilience during events hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport diversion scenarios while anchoring partnerships with DeKalb County School District workforce programs, local chambers like the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and workforce development agencies connected to Worksource Georgia. Economic studies compare its role to other reliever airports such as Teterboro Airport and Van Nuys Airport.

Future plans and development

Plans have included runway rehabilitation funded through programs administered by the Federal Aviation Administration and capital improvements coordinated with DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, aiming to modernize apron areas, hangar capacity, and terminal amenities to attract regional charter services and corporate aviation from firms in Cobb County and Fulton County. Proposals for enhanced multimodal access reference coordination with MARTA expansions and Georgia Department of Transportation projects, while community engagement has involved stakeholders from Sierra Club chapters and local municipalities like Brookhaven over noise mitigation and land use planning.

Category:Airports in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Buildings and structures in DeKalb County, Georgia