Atlanta seeks to end car rental woes

One of the perennial problems at major airports across the country is rental car pick-up and return. It's far too often one of the journey's real pains.

Dallas/Fort Worth International, Houston Bush Intercontinental, and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International, among others, have tackled the problem by consolidating all car rental services in one site. It makes things easier for travelers, and gets lots of those scurrying shuttles off airport roadways by putting travelers on just one bus.

Now, it's Atlanta's turn to make car rental more rational.

Construction has begun on a Consolidated Rental Agency Complex (CONRAC) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

ATL is the world's busiest airport, and the fourth-largest rental car market in the U.S. “CONRAC will address the needs for space and growth here at Hartsfield-Jackson in the rental car market,” says Ben DeCosta, the airport manager, “as well as enhance customer service, especially for the business traveler, who accounts for half our passenger volume.”

What's really interesting about the new car rental complex is its convenience. An automated people mover will transport passengers to and from the terminal, with an intermediate stop at the Georgia International Convention Center.

The $468-million facility is going up south of Camp Creek parkway, a major surface artery leading to ATL. Plans are for CONRAC to be operational by December 2008, perhaps just in time for Christmas.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler