A century of Atlanta history is now on display for the world to see.
On Thursday, Mayor Andre Dickens joined airport and community leaders at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to open the Blue Skies exhibition — a new immersive installation celebrating 100 years of aviation in Atlanta. Located in Concourse E’s Transportation Mall, the exhibit highlights the people, milestones, and moments that shaped ATL into the world’s busiest airport.
The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Dickens, is part of the city’s broader centennial celebration and reflects Atlanta’s commitment to honoring its past while continuing to build for the future.
From Regional Field to Global Gateway
A century ago, Atlanta’s aviation story began as a modest regional airfield. Today, more than 100 million passengers pass through ATL each year, making it a global connector and economic engine for Georgia and the Southeast.
But beyond its scale and efficiency, ATL has also become one of the city’s most accessible art spaces. Travelers moving between flights encounter public art installations, cultural exhibits, and now, a comprehensive look at Atlanta’s aviation legacy.
“Blue Skies is immersive and thoughtful. It honors the people who helped get us here,” Mayor Dickens said during remarks at the opening ceremony.
Honoring the People Who Built ATL
The exhibition tells a people-centered story.
Visitors will learn about the aviation pioneers who first developed the airport, the mechanics who kept aircraft safely in the air, and the ground crews who ensured daily operations ran smoothly. The exhibit also pays tribute to the flight attendants, pilots, air traffic controllers, and public servants who broke racial and gender barriers in the aviation industry.
Former Mayor Maynard Jackson is prominently recognized for his leadership in expanding the airport and ensuring minority- and women-owned businesses had meaningful access to contracting opportunities — creating pathways to Black entrepreneurship and middle-class opportunity in Atlanta.
Through artifacts, archival images, and curated storytelling, Blue Skies connects these individual contributions to Atlanta’s broader identity as a city that moves people — and opportunity — forward.
A Living Record of Atlanta’s Progress
The Blue Skies installation aligns closely with the Mayor’s pillar of Built for the Future, reinforcing that infrastructure and innovation are only possible because of the people who shape them.
The airport remains not just a transportation hub, but a driver of jobs, tourism, business development, and global connection. By placing this exhibition in one of the busiest travel corridors in the world, Atlanta is ensuring its story reaches millions of travelers annually.
Airport General Manager Ricky Smith, Atlanta History Center CEO Sheffield Hale, and exhibit designer Gary Super joined the Mayor in marking the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a guided tour of the installation.
Looking Ahead to the Next 100 Years
Atlanta knows how to honor its past. But it does not stop there.
As the city continues preparing for major global moments and investing in infrastructure, workforce development, and cultural preservation, the Blue Skies exhibition serves as both reflection and inspiration.
Travelers passing through Concourse E can now pause between flights to explore how a regional airfield became a global gateway — and how the next century of aviation excellence is already taking shape.
Residents and visitors can experience the Blue Skies exhibition in Concourse E’s Transportation Mall during regular airport hours.
