Overview

• Hartsfield-Jackson forfeited about $37–37.5 million from a roughly $57 million FAA package that included taxiway pavement work, terminal restroom renovations, and a north airfield safety project.
• The FAA confirmed the money would not be released after rejecting Atlanta’s edits, setting an Aug. 1 deadline, and receiving a July 29 letter from airport chief Ricky Smith saying the city could not sign the new terms.
• FAA officials said roughly $19.6 million could be available in the next fiscal year if Atlanta amends policies and signs the grant agreement.
• City leaders said federal dollars account for less than 10% of the airport’s six-year capital program and that the projects will pursue alternative financing without disrupting operations.
• Other major cities, including New York, San Francisco, and Boston, have sued over the mandate, and Atlanta has not announced litigation; the airport received a separate $10.6 million FAA grant earlier this year.