by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:55 PM ET, Thu March 5, 2015
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is suffering from an identity crisis, and the Atlanta City Council wants to know why people do not call the airport by its proper name.
According to Ben Mutzabaugh of USA Today, the city's council unanimously approved a resolution Monday assigning the task of finding out why many travelers drop the name "Jackson" when referring to the world's busiest airport.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's general manager has been handed the assignment and the results will be presented at a June 10 meeting, per Sharita Erves of WTVM.com.
City councilwoman Felicia Moore spoke to Erves about the concern regarding former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson's last name not being mentioned in the official title of the airport:
"I think there has been enough time for people to say it correctly, and there has also been enough time for people to develop bad habits. So, hopefully, this will bring attention and people will change their habits. Hartsfield and Jackson both have heavy legacies within the airport, and I think it's important for both of them to be equally recognized in the name."
Jackson was the mayor of Atlanta for three terms that spanned the 1970s, 80s and 90s and was a huge proponent of the upgrades to the airport during his time in office. He was also the first African American mayor of Atlanta.
On the other hand, William B. Hartsfield was the city's mayor for an astonishing six terms and also contributed heavily to the development of the airport. Hartsfield's name was added to the airport's name in 1990 and Jackson's was added in 2003.
Each man has made an impact on the history of the Atlanta airport system, and travelers should call the airport by its official name. Maybe building on the history of both men will be the key to the full title sticking.
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