🇺🇸 Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field

Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field (KRYY) is a premier general aviation reliever airport located 20 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. It does not service commercial airlines but accommodates general aviation aircraft, averaging 350 takeoffs and landings daily, with over 110,000 annual flight operations. This makes it one of the busiest general aviation airports in Georgia and a leading facility of its size nationwide.

Notable features and history include:

• Establishment The airport, originally McCollum Field, was established in 1960 and is named after Herbert C. McCollum, Cobb County’s sole commissioner in the late 1950s.
• Early Milestones Just three years after its inception, in 1963, a Lockheed JetStar became the first jet aircraft to land at the facility, signaling its future role in advanced aviation.
• Infrastructure It features a 6,295-foot concrete runway, an Instrument Landing System (ILS) for Runway 27, and an air traffic control tower that operates from 07:00 to 23:00 local time.
• International Capabilities KRYY has facilitated over 1,300 international arrivals from 52 countries since 2015 and is designated as a User Fee Airport for international operations, though it is not an Airport of Entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services are available for aircraft entrance and clearance, requiring 24-hour advance notice.
• Economic Impact The airport generates $129 million annually for the region and supports approximately 1,000 jobs.
• Facilities It is home to over 300 based aircraft, 500,000 square feet of hangar space, and approximately 20 businesses offering services such as ground handling, flight instruction, aircraft management, charter, and maintenance.

Current Status: The airport is operational and open to the public. It is owned and operated by the Cobb County Department of Transportation. As of 2024, there is an active construction notice at the airport. The airport is also working towards a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program goal of 7.58% for federally funded projects in fiscal years 2024-2026.

*Sources researched: cobbcounty.org, nfdc.faa.gov, cobbcounty.gov, cbp.gov, dot.ga.gov*