Legal action in Atlanta Airport case
The new international terminal at Atlanta’s Airport opens next week. As preparations continue, a group that lost its bid to sell inside the airport will fight the city in court.
Atlanta Attorney Ken Hodges represents SSP America. The national company partnered with the Atlanta restaurant chain Buckhead Life Group and smaller local eateries like Busy Bee. Hodges argues the partnership meets the qualifications needed to win an airport contract as a disadvantaged business.
Instead, the city gave those contracts to 4 other companies. Since the award, SSP has lost its appeals to the city. Now, Hodges plans to file a petition with Fulton County Superior Court.
“We plan to go back to a neutral unbiased forum, not one that’s controlled by the city, and we plan to present the evidence to the court,” said Hodges.
At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration says the winning disadvantaged businesses should not have been certified for those contracts. The city says it’s working with the FAA on the certification issue.