Franklin Administration Introduces legislation to Extend Delta Air Lines Lease

10/5/09 The Franklin Administration introduced legislation today to extend the airport lease between Delta Air Lines and the City of Atlanta for seven more years. The lease, which was last negotiated in 1980, covers the gates and other space used by Delta at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

“The proposed extension continues the important partnership between Delta and Atlanta that dates back to 1941, “ said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “It keeps Delta's headquarters in Atlanta and ensures that Hartsfield-Jackson will be the best airport in the world for years to come. This is especially good news here in Atlanta during these difficult economic times.”

Hartsfield-Jackson is important economic engine of the South. It is the world's busiest airport, with 90 million passengers in 2008; more than 56,000 people are employed in jobs connected to the Airport; and the Airport has an economic impact of $23.5 billion per year throughout the State of Georgia.

Among other things, the lease extension paves the way for completion of the $1.3 billion Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal, which is the last major project in the Airport's $6.2 billion capital improvement program that also included the Fifth Runway and the Consolidated Rental Car Facility. The City expects to issue bonds for the completion of the International Terminal in the next several months.

The City anticipates that Air Tran and the other airlines that serve Hartsfield-Jackson will shortly enter into similar lease extensions.

Today's legislation was co- by Atlanta City Council members Clair Muller and C.T. Martin and will be referred to the Transportation Committee next week for consideration

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