80th Anniversary Address
By Ben DeCosta Aviation General Manager Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport	80th Anniversary Address June 30, 2005  Atlanta, Ga

Good morning. Thank you for attending Hartsfield-Jackson’s 80th Anniversary celebration.

Thank you Mayor Franklin for your timely remarks as we reflect on Hartsfield-Jackson’s rich history in Atlanta and the Airport’s contributions to the city.

As we look at how far this Airport has progressed in its 80 years, now is the time to look ahead to what the future holds for Hartsfield-Jackson.

Gateways

In his 1974 inaugural speech, former Mayor Maynard Jackson said “We stand not so much as a gateway to the South, but as a gateway to a new time, a new era, a new beginning for the cities of our land.”

We are now at the dawn of the new time and new era. Hartsfield-Jackson is looking towards the future, but not just the future of the Airport, but Atlanta’s future as well.

The Hartsfield-Jackson of the future stands to support Atlanta’s future as a world-class city and global leader.

Hartsfield-Jackson is the economic engine which has long driven the growth of not only Atlanta, not only the state of Georgia, but also in the entire southeastern region of the continental United States. We have always positioned ourselves as one of the most vital links in local, regional, national and international air travel and trade.

Hartsfield-Jackson has witnessed unprecedented growth, especially in the number of international passengers since the 1996 Olympic Games. In 1996, Hartsfield-Jackson saw 3 million international passengers. We did not think we would see those types of numbers again. Yet this year, we anticipate 7 million.

Overall 89 million passengers are projected to travel through Hartsfield-Jackson in 2005. 89 million! More travelers will pass through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in a single year than any other airport in the history of flight. On this year of our 80th anniversary, we stand to make history yet again.

Now we reach markets previously closed to the Western World. Earlier this month, Hartsfield-Jackson launched the first direct flights from Atlanta to Moscow. Now Hartsfield-Jackson Airport provides direct service to 203 cities in 37 countries.

This is not only an advantage to tourists wishing to visit some of Russia’s historic landmarks, but it expands commerce between the United States and Russia.

Atlanta is only the second U.S. city to have direct service to Moscow, behind New York, and is just one example of Hartsfield-Jackson’s increasing role as a global connector.

By the year 2015, Hartsfield-Jackson will be the world’s premiere centerpiece for passenger traffic, cargo and aircraft operations serving more than 121 million estimated passengers.

How does Hartsfield-Jackson meet the challenges of growing air travel demand and continue to strengthen Atlanta’s position as a global leader?

Hartsfield-Jackson must move into the direction of a high performance airport and organization. As we connect Atlanta to the rest of the world, the high performance airport I envision Hartsfield-Jackson becoming will exceed the expectations of our passengers, our employees, and our stakeholders in the community.

What is a high performance organization? It is the collective ability of an organization to consistently strategize and execute effectively and efficiently, in a dynamic changing environment, with every employee at every level of the organization motivated and committed to enthusiastically contributing mind, body and spirit in a socially pleasing and rewarding work setting toward the accomplishment of the work that must be done.

But how does Hartsfield-Jackson become a high performance airport, and more importantly, a high performance organization?

First of all, we must make an investment in people! We must make an investment in the passengers who fly in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson. We must make an investment in the 55,000 employees who work at the Airport. Without people, there is no Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Secondly, Hartsfield-Jackson must remain on the cutting edge of technology. Evolving technological trends have greatly changed the way we communicate and the way we conduct business each and every day. Global connectivity includes communications, and digital technology makes worldwide connection possible.

Thirdly, Hartsfield-Jackson cannot be successful without its partnerships. Fostering positive relationships with our community not only benefits Hartsfield-Jackson, but coalition building serves in the best interest of the community in the long run.

Investment in People
I want to make Hartsfield-Jackson among one of the best airports in the world. Our mission is to be the “world’s best airport” by exceeding customer expectations. Our employees are working to fulfill this mission each day at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

As Atlanta’s gateway to the world, Hartsfield-Jackson creates the first impression many travelers have of the city.

At Hartsfield-Jackson we are moving into the direction of a truly high performance airport. Hartsfield-Jackson has the capabilities needed to become a first-rate, world-class and high performance organization because we have the resources. We have a talented, highly qualified and energetic workforce. Our leadership holds vision, and they are not afraid to take risks.

A high performance airport provides safe, secure, highly efficient, cost effective and customer friendly facilities. Passengers will continue to demand quality service and accommodations in the airport. Passengers enjoy the comfort of clean facilities and service with a smile. As more passengers file into the Airport, the need for comfortable and convenient amenities becomes essential.

New parking innovations will eliminate a step as visitors will be able to use a credit card to pay their fees, or a “cruise card” system similar to the one currently in place on Georgia 400 for paying tolls.

As the Mayor and I have already stated, Hartsfield-Jackson is growing at supersonic speed. With rapid growth, the need to elevate the quality of the Airport’s existing services is vital. The Airport’s infrastructure has a direct impact on the customers we serve.

Hartsfield-Jackson has embarked on a massive capital improvement project that is moving us in that direction. The Hartsfield-Jackson Development Program is the largest public works project in Georgia history. It is also the largest scale project of its kind right now in the United States.

The goal of this 10-year, $6.2 billion capital improvement program is to accommodate future forecasted growth through delay reduction and increased aircraft capacity.

Upgrades to terminal facilities where passengers congregate mean better traffic flow around ticket and baggage areas and more comfortable seating in common areas.

The most prominent component is the construction of the new runway. Hartsfield-Jackson’s 5th runway is the “most important new runway in the United States.” Delays here create a ripple effect across the North American continent, and the additional capacity provided by the new runway will allow Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to handle more flights.

I am proud to announce that Hartsfield-Jackson is on target to open the new runway on May 27, 2006, less than 12-months from now.

But without visionary leadership, the capital program would not have been a reality. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a forward-thinking industry leader poised to meet the ever-increasing traveler demand. The Airport has been praised by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta for continuing to implement the expansion program -- even with post September 11 concerns and an uncertain airline environment -- to ensure that Atlanta’s airport is prepared for the future.

Technology’s role
Technology is a key ingredient in the mission to become a high performance airport.

As we build the necessary infrastructure in the Airport to support expanding technology, Hartsfield-Jackson will provide information to the passenger through the entire travel cycle: starting from the passenger’s home through their drive to the airport; the passenger’s wait in the airport and eventually once the passenger departs the terminal.

We currently have some of those capabilities in place. Right now, before a traveler leaves his or her home, he or she may log onto our website and see flight and parking information and check the wait times of the security lines.

However as the traveler is driving to the Airport, the length of the security lines may change. Hartsfield-Jackson’s Trak-A-Flight will immediately notify the traveler in real-time of any changes as a message is sent to a cell phone, PDA or Blackberry.

Once the traveler reaches the Airport, he or she is still connected. Later this year, Hartsfield-Jackson will become the “Hot Spot” of technology as the Airport installs a new WiFi system.

The passenger will open a laptop in the terminal and up pops Hartsfield-Jackson’s splash page. Instant internet and email access without plugging the computer into an outlet.

More than half of our passengers are business travelers, and this capability allows them to remain connected to their company network via our new
Wi-Fi system.

What about those passengers who do not have laptops? Hartsfield-Jackson will provide information kiosks throughout the Airport so they too may remain connected through internet and email access as well as obtain airport information.

Awaiting passengers will have a map of the terminal layout, and they will have access to specialized services. For example, a vegetarian passenger will be able to, with a few key strokes, locate a restaurant which serves his dietary needs. Smokers will be able to locate smoking lounges.

Before long, passengers may have internet access on planes as we expand Wi-Fi coverage outside of the airport’s building.

Hartsfield-Jackson’s new Network Operations Center will monitor all of the technological activities, providing a “snapshot” of what is happening within the Airport.

As we look to the future, Hartsfield-Jackson is considering new methods of ensuring that our passengers remain connected as they travel.

New airport buildings will feature a more airy, open construction to accommodate new innovations in solar and NANO technology. In the future, we will be able to charge our cell phones and laptops with solar power. The new open building infrastructure will enable a traveler to take advantage of solar technology and charge a cell phone without plugging it into a wall socket.

Hartsfield-Jackson will continue to develop new advances which will make the travel experience as convenient as possible leaving few worries for our passengers.

Fostering partnerships
Although Hartsfield-Jackson holds a strong presence in the community, it is critical that we also recognize the value of our relationships with our stakeholders: neighboring communities, federal and state governmental agencies, civic organizations, elected officials and the general public.

Hartsfield-Jackson’s goal is to promote a positive relationship with the Airport stakeholders through continuous two-way communication which considers community concerns with existing Airport operations and future needs, resulting in a lasting Airport and community partnership.

The Airport’s partnerships with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and the surrounding municipalities has helped Hartsfield-Jackson as we continue with our capital improvement program and especially the new runway.

The new runway will not operate without a new air traffic control tower. Hartsfield-Jackson has been working diligently with the FAA to ensure that the new control tower is operational in May 2006.

Several arterial roads on the Airport’s southside had to be relocated to make room for the new runway. Hartsfield-Jackson could not have accomplished that nor could we begin I-285 construction if not for our collaboration with the Georgia DOT and Clayton County.

In addition, Hartsfield-Jackson’s presence and active participation in various community organizations, such as chambers of commerce and other business and civic groups, is essential in our efforts to nurture a relationship with the community.

One of the partnerships I particularly enjoy is the Airport’s Partners in Education program. Department of Aviation representatives mentor high school juniors and seniors, and our staff members encourage the students to continue their education beyond high school.

Last month the DOA hosted two special Hartsfield-Jackson Day events: one at North Clayton High School and the second at Tri-Cities High. DOA staff members discussed the importance of education and the students told us some of their aspirations which for some included careers in aviation.

Partnerships like this help to develop the future airport engineers who will build the new technologies; future aviation general managers who will guide Hartsfield-Jackson to new horizons; and future leaders of the city of Atlanta who will sit at the table with global decision-makers.

This is not just Hartsfield-Jackson’s future, but Atlanta’s future. Making those connections and crossing those bridges.

The future of Atlanta depends upon our ability to step beyond those boundaries that separate us and to reach out to the broader community; to the global community; bridging to our neighbors around the world. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a hub toward this ability.

From Hartsfield-Jackson, a passenger may travel to 203 cities worldwide in 37 countries. Each one of those destinations holds a story; a chance for each one of us to learn something new and to connect with different people on a different level.

Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clarke opened the western United States to new possibilities which strengthened the landscape of this country. The new families who traveled westward helped to create new cities and to build bridges to new opportunities.

In very much the same way, Hartsfield-Jackson has opened Atlanta to the rest of the world. We opened our city in 1996, and we have become the better for it. Not only are more international travelers passing through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, but they are choosing to remain in Atlanta and call it home.

Because of Hartsfield-Jackson’s dedication to providing “world-class” customer service and building superior facilities, its vision for Atlanta will continue to be a vital link in national and international air travel.

Thank you for the role you have played during your particular time in our eight decades of service. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as we propel into the future.

Thank you again for joining in our celebration today.

Good day to you all.

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