Hartsfield-Jackson advances airline lease talks

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is launching an intensive round of airline lease talks, with plans to wrap up negotiations in November.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson started informal talks months ago, and Hartsfield-Jackson general manager Miguel Southwell said there is already “high-level agreement” on some issues. The negotiations focus on rates and charges, he said.

“Airlines want to make sure you give them the lowest rates possible,” Southwell said. He added that for the city, “it’s an obligation to provide the lowest possible competitive rates.”

Delta and the airport are currently operating on lease extension reached in late 2009 to run through 2017, but both sides have expressed an interest in starting and finishing negotiations early.