DALLAS, Ga. - Backers of commercial air service at an airport northwest of Atlanta have encountered a series of setbacks.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that their hopes for an announcement of new air service at Silver Comet Field have been pushed back until next year.

Commercial air service at the airport in Paulding County would give air travelers an alternative to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the south edge of the city. If backers of Silver Comet Field succeed, it would be the second commercial airport in metro Atlanta.

The setbacks include legal challenges brought by Paulding County residents concerned about noise and congestion.

Brett Smith, whose company is partnering with Paulding County and would operate the airport under contract, says the obstacles are "merely bumps along a much longer road."