Friday, June 28, 2002

Hartsfield voted best passenger airport

Airport passengers responding to a survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have selected Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport as the Best "Very Large" Airport In Overall Passenger Satisfaction.

The survey conducted earlier this year, is the ninth edition of IATA's Global Airport Monitor (GAM) survey.

Hartsfield surpassed runners-up Dallas-Forth Worth International and Chicago O'Hare International in the category of very large airports.

IATA defines "very large airports" as airports transporting more than 40 million passengers per year and last year, Hartsfield accommodated more than 75 million passengers.

"This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Hartsfield employees who, on a daily basis, work to exceed customers' expectations," said Ben DeCosta, general manager of the airport. "Knowing that passengers are reporting their satisfaction with the courteousness and helpfulness of airport staff members solidifies our efforts to provide a customer-friendly atmosphere at Hartsfield."

The information collected in the GAM survey documented the perceptions of over 80,000 international passengers in nearly 20 service categories for 52 airports worldwide. The highest average rated service items for airports handling more than 40 million travelers included courtesy, ease of finding your way through the airport (signage) and ground transportation to and from the airport were rated in the survey.