Mayor Franklin says, “The fact is, Hartsfield-Jackson’s reputation as the world’s busiest and most productive and efficient airport is not news to anyone. The Bush Administration, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Governor’s Office, Delta Airlines, AirTran Airways, 80 million travelers, and anyone who pays attention to the facts, know this to be true.” The Mayor added, “The City of Atlanta took the risk 75 years ago to build an airport and has continued to take that risk until this day, creating an airport that has a regional financial impact of more than $17 billion a year.”
In July 2003, the Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) announced that Hartsfield International Airport ranks #1 world-wide in productivity and efficiency. The ATRS Benchmarking Report measures and compares the performance of several important aspects of airport operation: productivity and efficiency, unit costs and cost competitiveness, financial results and security charges for up to 90 airports. Hartsfield was selected #1 by 500 academicians, policy makers and industry experts.
Mayor Franklin stated, “There is no local, county or state governmental entity in this region that has had the capability to successfully build and manage a facility with the magnitude of the economic influence of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.” This latest effort by two elected state officials is an attempt to direct attention away from the critical need for financial assistance to resolve Atlanta’s water/sewer issues. Yet another example of disregard for the needs of our ratepayers in Atlanta, East Point, Forest Park, Fairburn, Union City, Hapeville, College Park, Fulton, much of DeKalb, Coweta, Fayette and Clayton counties.
Commenting on John Sherman of the Fulton County Taxpayers Association, Inc. who continues to promote privatization, Mayor Franklin said, “Mr. Sherman participated in hearings held by the City last December and is fully aware of the legal constraints regarding revenue diversion by privatizing the airport. It is irresponsible for Mr. Sherman and others to continue to move forward on the privatization issue with the facts