2 min read May 2023 — Invest: spoke with Balram Bheodari, general manager of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, about the airport’s rebound in traffic, its sustainability and community efforts and its $628 million in capital renovation projects. “Most airports will probably return to the 2019 travel demand in 2023,” he added.
What have been some key highlights or achievements for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport over the last year?
In 2019, we had 110 million passengers, while in 2020 we had only 42 million because of the pandemic, and then 76 million in 2021.The rebound continued into 2022 with around 94 million passengers, demonstrating a significant rebound in traffic. We added 13 international flights to the airport portfolio, which serves 150 destinations and 70 international destinations in 43 countries.
We have also continued with our capital improvement project, having completed numerous major projects totaling over $628 million. In addition to that, there is the people element. We have invested in our employees’ physical and mental wellness. There are some challenges in terms of staffing, which we are still working through.
One of our strategic commitments is to the community and ensuring that they receive the economic benefit of this airport. We believe the airport equals economic opportunity, so we try to spread that word in the community. Domestic travel has great demand and we are at about 85% of the pre-pandemic level. We have seen an upsurge in international travel and a return of business travelers, so we are beginning to recover in many ways.
What impact has recent construction had on the airport’s operations?
We had to slow down and put safety protocols in place to protect our construction workers but we are finishing projects now. We started new parking decks, with 6,500 parking spots planned. The taxiway was finished recently, which will improve the airport’s safety outcomes. It will prevent about 500 daily crosses on an active runway and help to avoid long clearance times so people can get to their gates earlier. It has a financial impact as well as a convenience and safety impact. It will also help to save fuel, which impacts our carbon footprint.
What efforts are underway to boost traffic through the airport?
The industry needs to look at demand and the availability of aircraft. There are many orders for new aircraft, which may be a challenge as these orders are backed up. The shortage in the labor market is another challenge that we can address. We need mechanics to service added flights.
How are you approaching the workforce shortage?
Employees look for opportunities for career progression and the aviation industry provides that. We must ensure there is career progression within the company and we need competitive compensation because we want the best and brightest. For us, the technical skills, such as HVAC technicians and electricians, are the hardest roles to fill. We have launched a robust and dynamic apprenticeship program to address these challenges. The new program offers a unique, paid, opportunity for motivated career seekers, incumbent employees, and high school students to advance their career and learn a trade while creating a pipeline of highly-skilled workers for the industries in need. There are 50 other companies that have this same vision but we want to really show the value of working here through addressing extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.
How do you use technology to improve sustainability?
First, we try to reduce our usage of water, gas and electricity. Sensors in the bathroom can help to reduce water waste. We have a goal to divert 95% of our landfill waste. This is an emerging technology we are looking at, along with solar energy. We need more charging stations to meet our EV demand. Staying on the cutting edge is important for our environmental stewardship efforts.
How are you improving the guest experience in the airport?
We are looking into technology for our concession program where you can make a reservation and use a QR code with your smartphone to get your food. This is convenient for the airport and it makes our airport smarter. We want to add technology like this for your entire trip, so you can get amenities like parking or place an order for a wheelchair. You can plan your trip and anticipate the time it takes to get food and get through security.
Why must the airport remain a strong community partner?
The airport belongs to the community. Our strategic mission is to connect our communities to the people, cultures and economies of the world. This airport will thrive when we have the support of the community instead of being at odds with each other. We must have stewardship toward economic opportunities for our communities.
What is your outlook for the next two to three years?
The entire country is recovering, with some areas recovering faster than others. Most airports will probably return to 2019 travel demand in 2023. We need to offer many options to get people where they are going because our customers want more choice. We have a huge impact on the global transportation system because of how many customers this airport serves. Overall, the outlook for aviation is very good. Intermodal connectivity will grow as people look for options to connect to the airport.
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