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Atlanta aviation chief seeks $522 million operating budget, outlines reorganization and parking rate gains
Summary
Department of Aviation General Manager Ricky Smith told Atlanta City Council his FY26 operating budget request totals $522 million, highlighted a multi‑phase reorganization, and said recent parking rate increases and higher terminal rents are the main revenue drivers supporting debt service and capital work under ATLNext.
Atlanta — Ricky Smith, general manager of the Department of Aviation at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, asked Atlanta City Council to approve a proposed FY26 operating budget that includes $522 million in expenses and a revenue plan that Smith said totals about $852 million.
Smith said the budget supports a 971‑FTE complement and the airport’s ninth year of the ATLNext capital program. He called the airport’s “financial position … strong” and said the request focuses on operational efficiency, customer experience, sustainability and innovation.
The budget presentation tied rising aeronautical costs to capital borrowing. Deputy General Manager for Finance Brian Benefield told council that terminal rents — driven higher by increased debt service from ATLNext borrowing — are the largest…
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