Ricky Smith, ranking general manager of the Department of Aviation, delivered a condensed quarterly update to the Transportation Committee, reporting progress on major capital projects, operational metrics and workforce initiatives at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Smith said the September opening of phase two of the Concourse D widening adds five gates, expands the concourse from 60 to 99 feet and extends it by about 300 feet, part of an eight‑phase program to add gates and passenger amenities. "This particular phase introduces 5 additional gates," he told the committee.

Why it matters: the airport's capital program supports increased passenger capacity and the expected service expansions the department described. Smith also reported the airport's financial position is strong, saying, "we have about $1,100,000,000 in cash," which he framed as roughly 979 days of cash on hand while overall revenues are over forecast and many nonairline revenue streams are rising.

Smith highlighted workforce and customer experience initiatives. A pilot welding apprenticeship graduated two participants and two more will finish next year; the department plans to expand apprenticeships into other trades in partnership with Atlanta Technical College. Smith described a new employee engagement initiative (ACE) that includes pulse surveys, small‑group listening sessions and quarterly roadshows aimed at improving internal communications and morale.

Operational picture: Smith said passengers were up about 1% year over year while operations rose about 2%. Cargo activity, he said, is down about 23%, which he attributed mainly to a retrenchment by Southwest Airlines in Atlanta. He also said Concourse F biometric air‑exit work is about 85% complete and that IT redundancy projects are reducing operational risk.

Parking and passenger experience: after a May parking rate increase, Smith said congestion in hourly garages declined and parking revenue rose; the change was designed to incentivize long‑term parkers toward long‑term facilities. He told the committee the new South Parking Deck (about 7,800 new spaces) is slated to open shortly before FIFA and the Aviation Administration Center (roughly 178,000 square feet) is expected in the fourth quarter of next year.

Council questions and accessibility concerns: council members asked about exterior public art, apprenticeship scale, MARTA coordination and accessibility for wheelchair users. Council Member Jason Dozier asked whether the airport was pursuing public‑art investments outside terminals; Smith said many capital projects include art elements and the airport is exploring exterior opportunities. Smith confirmed a partnership with Atlanta Technical College supports apprenticeship classroom and on‑the‑job training.

An unnamed councilmember who uses a wheelchair told the committee a recent shuttle trip took "about twice as long" for wheelchair users and recounted waiting roughly 30 minutes after a lift failed. Smith said the airport recently engaged a nonprofit to advise on terminal accessibility improvements and agreed to share the group's name with council members.

Next steps: Smith closed by making himself available for follow‑up questions and the committee moved on to the regular agenda.