Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials announced today that Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services upgraded the Airport’s general revenue bonds and hybrid passenger facility charge (PFC) subordinate-lien bonds from “A+” to “AA-”.

“Strong fiscal management is the cornerstone of how Hartsfield-Jackson maintains its status as the busiest and most efficient airport in the world,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.  “These upgrades reflect our efforts at prudent fiscal planning, and I am pleased that the Airport’s work has been recognized with this ratings upgrade.”

Standard and Poor’s cited Hartsfield-Jackson’s strong unrestricted cash and investments, good coverage of annual debt service, low-cost structure, and diverse revenue sources as justification for the credit upgrades.  From the release: “The stable outlook reflects our expectation that management will likely prudently manage its CIP (capital improvement plan) and finances to meet forecasted financial results.”

“This ratings upgrade underscores our continued emphasis at maintaining solid fiscal responsibility,” Aviation General Manger Miguel Southwell said today.  “Our long-term trajectory is to seek continued upgrades, and ensure investors receive expected returns on investment.”