ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that the general manager of the world’s busiest airport has been fired.
Channel 2’s Aaron Diamant confirmed through sources that Miguel Southwell is no longer the General Manager of Hartfield-Jackson International Airport.
Southwell was named to the post in June 2014.
Southwell came to Hartsfield-Jackson as deputy general manager of commercial operations, having previously held a similar position at Miami International Airport. He was already a familiar face in Atlanta, having previously worked at Hartsfield from 1990 until 2001.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed selected Southwell over two other finalists for the position who were top managers at smaller airports.
READ: Atlanta airport GM to TSA: Get your act together or you're out
At the beginning of his post, Southwell was expected to make $221,000 a year.
“I want to thank Mr. Southwell for his service to the City of Atlanta and the travelers at the world’s busiest passenger airport,” said Reed in a statement.
“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport serves as our city's and region's dominant economic generator, and as such, I am committed to achieving maximum operational efficiencies and the highest level of customer service possible. I wish Mr. Southwell the best in the next chapter of his career."
Roosevelt Council will serve as Interim Aviation General Manager until a new general manager is named. %
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According to Hartsfield-Jackson's website, Roosevelt Council Jr. has been the Aviation deputy general manager/chief financial officer since April 2012. Council was responsible for all accounting, budgeting, financial analysis and forecasting, procurement and treasury operations at the Airport.
READ: Airport GM: 'We're plugging gaps after gun smuggling'
Hartsfield-Jackson has come under fire lately as
[ security wait times climbed to over an hour ]
, with many travelers complaining they missed their flights. Sources tell Channel 2 Action News that dealing with those long lines contributed to the GM's firing.
This comes as the airport is set start a multibillion-dollar construction project that could take decades to complete.
[ The $6 billion project will update the domestic passenger terminal and concourses ]
, and add a sixth runway and a hotel.
Work begins on concourse renovations later this year. The project accelerates next year with work on parking decks and passenger gates, and the terminal renovation.