Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) received approval from the Atlanta City Council to allocate up to $2 million annually toward the establishment of an air service incentive program.
“With this new incentive program, Hartsfield-Jackson will be better positioned to attract additional passenger and cargo carriers to Atlanta,” says Miguel Southwell, interim general manager at ATL. “As the world’s busiest airport, we are continually looking at ways to grow new routes and expand our cargo capacity, and this will certainly boost our global competitiveness.”
The purpose of the program is to stimulate air service, particularly among routes that link Atlanta to cities in countries with fast-growing economies and air cargo traffic. The program will waive landing fees for one year for airlines starting new international routes not already served from ATL. It also will match up to $25,000, or 50 percent, of promotional funds for new passenger service and provide cargo carriers with the opportunity to qualify for a waiver of aircraft parking fees at ATL’s cargo areas.
Additional waivers and incentives will be offered to carriers that start service to one of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China or South Africa. Carriers starting service to Africa, Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia also will receive extra consideration. Total fee waivers and promotional funds will be capped at $2 million.
The program is designed to develop the airport as a cargo and logistics hub.
