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American Morning

America Under Attack: Certain Airports Cleared to Begin Operations Again

Aired September 13, 2001 - 11:51   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The country and air industry, in particular, is trying to get somewhat back to normal. It's been some 51 minutes now since airports -- certain airports around the country that have met certain security guidelines have been cleared to begin operations again.

One of the busiest in the world is Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, and we would assume that that airport would be among the first to begin process of getting back on-line.

Let's check in now with our Bonnie Anderson, who's standing by there at Hartsfield -- Bonny.

BONNIE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hartsfield is officially open.

Earlier today they -- officials removed tape that was across the fronts of the doors, they notified their concessionars, and they alerted all of the airlines.

We're going to try to show you some pictures now of planes on the tarmac, if we can. First flight out will be in about five, 10 minutes; it's a South African airways flight to South Africa.

Delta, which is headquartered here and the largest carrier at this airport, is first expecting to bring in planes that were diverted to Canada. They then plan to reposition aircraft across the nation and then begin limited flights later this afternoon.

We are told Continental and American, however, will not have any service out of Atlanta, but those things can change.

Joining me now is the airport's general manager, Ben Dekosta.

Given the fact that there's still some uncertainty in which planes and which airlines will be flying, what would you tell passengers to do?

BENJAMIN DEKOSTA, HARTSFIELD INTL. AIRPORT: The most important thing for passengers to do is to call their airlines and confirm that their flight is flying. Many of the airlines that would be scheduled will not fly today, and so the ramp up nationwide will have limited flights. ANDERSON: And in terms of what they will need to get out on the concourse. They must have a confirmed ticket, correct?

DEKOSTA: We want passengers to call their airlines, many of them will have e-tickets. When you get to airport they'll -- will discover there's no curbside check in, and they will have to go to ticket counters to -- in order to get a boarding pass in order to get through checkpoint security.

ANDERSON: So no one without a boarding pass will be allowed out; family members can't go out concourse.

DEKOSTA: With the one exception: If you have a child that is flying alone a parent, one parent, can accompany the child to the gate area.

ANDERSON: All right, you have said that you don't want to talk about any specifics about security here. We do know that Hartsfield has always had a very multi-layered system, especially following the Olympics. Is it fair to say, though, that the new precautions have been taken?

DEKOSTA: We have spent the last two days making sure that we are completely secure and safe and have implemented everyone of the FAA's instructions.

ANDERSON: Well, thank you very much for joining us.

So within about five, 10 minutes the first flight out of Hartsfield should be taking to the air. No word, though, it's a little bit uncertain yet how long it will take for all of the airlines here to get back to absolute full operation.

I'm Bonnie Anderson, CNN, reporting live from Atlanta.

HARRIS: All right, thank you very much, Bonnie Anderson

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