Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is set to lose millions in federal funding due to its refusal to sign grant agreements that require the airport to sideline its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
In emailed letters exchanged this summer, ATL General Manager Ricky Smith informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it would not sign the documents. “The City [of Atlanta] is able and willing to accept grant funds in accordance with federal law,” Smith wrote in a letter dated July 28. “However, the City cannot sign a grant offer and agreement requiring the City to agree to the newly included DEI and certain other provisions.”
The city of Atlanta released a statement September 25 suggesting it has no plans to shift its position.
“The City of Atlanta’s airport is the busiest and most efficient on the planet, with large and complex staffing, operations and capital improvements, supported by an annual capital and operating budget of over $2 billion,” the statement said. “We are confident that the airport will be able to pursue alternative funding to advance these projects without impacting customers or airport service providers. Federal funding for the airport, while important, represents less than 10%, approximately $1 billion over the next 6 years of the airport’s total capital program over the same period.
The grants involved this fiscal year include more than $17 million in supplemental discretionary funds and $9 million from the passenger entitlement and cargo funds, all for taxiway pavement replacement. In addition, $14.3 million in airport terminal program funds earmarked for terminal restroom rehabilitation, $10.6 million from the passenger entitlement fund for a north airfield safety area project, and a few smaller, sustainability-related grants are also impacted.
An FAA spokesperson said the FAA is “working with the City to resolve these issues,” adding “some of the funds will still be available if the City chooses to sign a grant agreement next fiscal year.”
In its statement, the city of Atlanta said it is “currently evaluating all options to ensure alignment with our long-held values, local policy and federal law and we are confident that the airport will be well positioned to receive federal funds in the future.”
