As it prepares to open a new terminal to welcome the world, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is also planning to make its online foyer a bit more familiar for foreign visitors.
In June, the airport aims to add a multilingual feature that will display its website in at least four major languages.
The change is part of a variety of technology updates planned for the 2013 fiscal year beginning in July, according to a draft of the city's proposed budget. The airport is a municipal entity.
Should the budget be approved, versions of the website in Spanish, French and German are expected to be rolled out in phases, according to an airport spokeswoman.
Other airport advances are to include an antenna system to provide 4G cellular service, check-in kiosks at the rental car center and an iPhone app that would supply real-time flight information, wait times and concessions listings.
In August, the airport plans to introduce a branded Wi-Fi program to provide passengers with lower-cost Internet service.
It also hopes to introduce self-service teleconferencing systems in January, an online parking reservation system in May and automated people counter systems for the Plane Train, the airport's internal transit system, and the ATL SkyTrain, which ferries passengers from the main terminals over Interstate 85 to the rental-car center.
The airport also plans to spend $4 million upgrading the communications system in the Plane Train, according to the budget draft.
An airport spokesperson declined to comment on which languages the website would feature, since the budget is currently under review. The Atlanta City Council is scheduled to put the budget to a vote on June 18.
The international terminal is set to open May 16.
Visit www.atlanta-airport.com/internationalterminal for more information.
