U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a member of a Senate committee tasked with oversight of national aviation policies, recently touted new legislation that aims to strengthen Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Hartsfield-Jackson, known as the busiest airport in the world, provides more than 60,000 jobs and produces an annual economic impact of $66 billion in the Atlanta area.
Georgia’s State Legislature approved a measure in 2019 that could allow for the takeover of the airport, which is owned by the city of Atlanta. But a provision added by Warnock in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act – passed earlier this year – included certain protections that ensure Hartsfield-Jackson remains in local control.
The new law, which allocates $105.5 billion for fiscal years 2024-2028, reauthorized the FAA for five years and seeks to create a safer, cleaner and more accessible U.S. aviation system.
As he delivered remarks to the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council and 150 Atlanta airport business owners earlier this week, Warnock said he was “proud to champion” the recent reauthorization bill on behalf of Georgians at the federal level.
“We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share – not asking for anything extra, just their fair share,” Warnock said. “Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture and businesses that make up our city…”
The bill also provides provisions to enhance aviation workforce development, address a current shortage of pilots as well as funding for consumer protections and additional safety measures.
“As a senator for all Georgians, I’m also glad that we secured critical investments in that law for airport improvement projects all across our state. These projects will bring millions more federal dollars to Georgia’s aviation economy,” Warnock said.
