The Athens-Ben Epps Airport is the regional airport for the MACORTS region. It provides freight and passenger connection service to Charlotte, NC. Passenger enplanements at Athens-Ben Epps Airport for the last twelve months totaled 19,772 passengers. Airplanes entering and leaving the airport during the past twelve months totaled 57,947, with five tons of cargo being shipped in and out of the airport. Present plans are for the enlargement of the existing runways as well as the addition and expansion of other amenities. As with all modes of transportation, an important factor to consider when expanding the aviation facilities is the compatibility with the adjacent land uses. You may contact the offices of Ben Epps Airport at (706) 613-3420.
Maps of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport and its associated runway hazard zone may be obtained from the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department. This runway hazard zone should be protected through restricting the placement of certain land uses that could result in the significant loss of life in the event of an accident. An objective of the land use planning process is to restrict high density land uses in this area.
A study is currently underway to identify long-term improvements to the airport, including the possibility of extending the runway at the airport.