Budget approved for international terminal at Atlanta

Funding has been approved for a new international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.

A construction budget of $1.2 billion was approved by Atlanta City Council yesterday (Monday, March 3), with a contingency fund of $168 million.

Due to be located on the east side of the airport, the Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr International Terminal will measure 1.2 million-square-feet and provide space for 12 international and 16 domestic gates. The new terminal will take the total number of international gates at Atlanta up to 40 when work is complete in 2011.

Ben DeCosta, General Manager at the airport, told The Atlanta-Journal Constitution that the budget decision means work will stay on schedule.

As part of the new funding process from the city council, DeCosta must hold regular meetings with the airlines and report back to the council on how the contingency allowance is being used.

He said: "I'm happy to do it. We're transparent and accountable. This train is moving and we want to keep it moving."

© Adfero Ltd