Delta Air Lines, a name synonymous with quality and reliability in aviation, is celebrating a centennial of soaring achievements. From humble beginnings as a crop-dusting operation, Delta has grown into a global titan, paralleling Georgia’s own rise as an epicenter of business and innovation. This strong connection benefits from shared values of strategic foresight and intention followed by action.

Partnerships and progress

As Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian accepted accolades on behalf of the airline from the Georgia General Assembly early this year, he attributed the state’s pro-business environment as instrumental to Delta’s success. Bastian’s words echo the sentiment that Georgia, too, owes part of its identity to Delta Air Lines, a cornerstone in its economic landscape.

Delta’s influence in Georgia is broad.  

Through its headquarters at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest – and also celebrating 100 years – Delta employs more than 36,745 Georgians.  

Beyond the bottom line, its partnerships with educational institutions and cultural sponsorships with organizations such as the Woodruff Arts Center serve to further enrich Georgia’s cultural tapestry. Delta is also giving back to the communities where current and future talent live, committing more than $16.5 million in charitable support to nearby Clayton County over the next five years. These commitments support education programs, workforce development initiatives, and local nonprofits, including the new Clayton County Delta Junior Achievement Discovery Center, aviation scholarships, and economic initiatives.

The lifeblood of commerce is connectivity, and Delta provides it, connecting Georgia seamlessly with the world. Its expansive network has helped Georgia become a premier business hub from the mountains to the coast. With direct flights to 223 destinations, Delta plays a fundamental role in Georgia’s diplomatic and business ties. Georgia’s place as home to 17 Fortune 500 companies is in no small part thanks to Delta.  

In trade, the company empowers local exporters to thrive on an international stage. Aerospace products are the state’s top export and the state’s second largest manufacturing industry, generating $57.5 billion in economic impact.  

The No. 1 aerospace engineering undergraduate and graduate programs among publicly funded institutions are at Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. Kennesaw State University offers a Minor in Aerospace Engineering and will welcome their first cohort for the Bachelor of Science program in Aerospace Engineering in fall 2025.  

Home to Georgia's only public School of Aviation, Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation also does its part to keep the workforce pipeline flowing in the state, along with aerospace certificates from the University of Georgia and research and engineering education at Georgia Southern University. Investments from Delta are a complement to these programs, helping Georgia’s aerospace sector thrive with a diverse range of companies pushing the boundaries of technology.  

Delta’s own journey from a crop-dusting firm to a leader in aerospace innovation showcases its commitment to progress.  

Delta Tech Ops (the largest MRO group in North America) and R&D partnerships are setting new benchmarks in industry evolution. Georgia’s Center of Innovation frequently highlights Delta as a beacon of excellence when it comes to examples of transformation and technological advancement.  

Ventures into sustainable aviation fuel underscore its commitment to a greener future. The Center of Innovation works closely with the Sustainable Skies Lab, the airline’s innovation hub, connecting Georgia aerospace companies and providing resources.  

JetZero is the newest member of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab, where the company is working to bring the “innovative blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft to commercial viability” with its “design expected to be up to 50% more fuel-efficient than aircraft in operation today.” Further, in 2024, Delta joined forces with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Airbus, and Plug Power to explore hydrogen fueling at the airport, aligning with Georgia’s burgeoning $27 billion mobility ecosystem.

As the most-awarded airline, Delta brings the world to Georgia, invigorating tourism and offering travelers a taste of Southern hospitality at the ATL Concourse D Sky Club. The Delta Flight Museum, with its immersive exhibits, narrates the airline’s century-long journey. Exhibits within two Historic Hangars built in the 1940s allow visitors the chance to explore the most iconic aircraft ever to fly. According to data from Hartsfield-Jackson, 84.5 million passengers flew Delta and its subsidiaries to or through ATL in 2024, representing more than 78% of the airport’s annual traffic and contributing to Georgia’s tourism growth.

From connecting regional cities like Augusta, Savannah, Albany, and Valdosta to pioneering aerospace innovation, Delta’s legacy is one of relentless progress. It’s about a shared journey of growth and innovation with Georgia, promising a future where skies are not the limit but the beginning.

Delta’s home could be your home, too

Become part of an ecosystem that includes Delta, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Thrush, and hundreds of other aerospace-related businesses.  

Georgia offers unparalleled opportunities and advantages. With its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and commitment to innovation recently featured in major publications, Georgia is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of aerospace on a global scale.  

Explore resources to connect your company into Georgia’s aerospace ecosystem and meet with Georgia Department of Economic Development representatives at events such as Eurosatory, Farnborough International Airshow, MRO Americas, Paris Air Show, and the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit.

For more information on Georgia’s aerospace industry:

• The Sky’s the Limit for Aerospace in Georgia: Hear from Director of Aerospace Steve Shaffer as he shares how the Center of Innovation can help aerospace businesses take off as well as comments from the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Institute of Technology.
• Georgia: A Premier Destination for Aerospace and Defense Opportunities:An overview of Georgia’s aerospace ecosystem, from industry leaders to workforce initiatives.
• Opportunities for Aerospace and Defense Exporters: MRO Americas and More: Aerospace products have long been Georgia’s No. 1 export, with civilian aircraft and ancillary parts exports from Georgia soaring to $12.6 billion in 2024.