Atlanta’s interim airport general manager will be Balram Bheodari
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (File/Photo from wikimedia.org.)
By Maria Saporta
Balram “B” Bheodari has been named interim general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – again.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms named Bheodari to the post Thursday afternoon – just two days before John Selden, the current general manager, will depart to become CEO of the Neom airport development company in Saudi Arabia.
The mayor cited Bheodari’s 30-year record in the aviation industry when making the announcement.
Balram Bheodari, deputy airport general manager was named interim general manager on April 1 (Special: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport)
“B has decades of aviation experience and he knows the Atlanta airport,” Bottoms said in a statement. “I am confident that with his operations expertise, he will keep Hartsfield-Jackson running smoothly as we recover from this global pandemic.”
Prior to his appointment, Bheodari was deputy general manager at the airport. In that role, he oversaw public safety and security; operations; maintenance and transportation; planning and development; and sustainability, asset management, and facilities.
“I am honored to have the confidence of Mayor Bottoms,” Bheodari said Thursday. “This is an incredibly important time for Hartsfield-Jackson and the entire aviation industry. I look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence in safety, efficiency, and economic development for the city and region.”
Bheodari began his career at the Atlanta airport in 1999. He led the effort to open the airport’s new consolidated rental car center in 2009, and in 2012 he coordinated the opening of the new Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal.
An aerial photo of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (Special: Wikipedia)
Bheodari also served as the chief operating officer for the Houston Airport System before returning to Atlanta in 2016. Bheodari became interim general manager in July 2018 and served in that role until Selden became the aviation commissioner in October 2018.
“B is a consummate professional,” Selden said Thursday in a statement. “It was a pleasure working with him, and I can think of no better choice to serve in this role. Hartsfield-Jackson will be well-served by his appointment.”
Bheodari is a veteran of the United States Army. He graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in aviation management and completed the Emory University Executive Education Management Development Program. He retired from the Army with 22 years of active military service in the aviation branch as an instrument-rated rotary wing pilot.
Bottoms did not include any information about if and when the city will conduct a search for a permanent replacement. Because it’s a mayoral election year, it may be difficult to lure an airline executive to Atlanta – especially without a contract.
am a 67 yr old rn that booked a flight on spirit last may 25 (wed) and they say that I missed my flight. But I didn’t miss it. I flew from orl to atl last Wed morning in seat 1a. I talked with a man next to me on the way up.. So last night when I was checking for my boarding pass spirit advised me that my return trip this am back to orl was cancelled because I didn’t show up for my flight last Wed.
I can’t believe with the tech today spirit has no record of me being on that plane. I am so upset. Last night a spirit supervisor on the phone stated I know you missed your flight sir but for another $71 we can book you tonight at 950pm. That doesn’t work for me and I can’t believe she just can’t call the man I was sitting next to on the plane to verify. Doesn’t the airport have cameras also to verify. I’m going to be very upset this morning g around 830a when I get to the spirit counter and my seat (2f) return flight that I paid for isn’t aval.
James Allbritton. 772 828 7573Report
We had a long layover in Atlanta Georgia, and I have to say the women down near the (USO) bathroom were wonderful, polite, and very friendly. Always on top of helping you out when the next bathroom stall was open and told you to have a lovely morning or afternoon. Those women should teach some of your other women in the bathrooms the same respect, they gave us as we gave them back. Even though my day was bad they made me feel better and happy. So thank you ladies from the bathroom near the (USO).Report