(ATLANTA – February 25, 2025) – Ricky Smith, the current Executive Director and CEO of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, has been appointed to lead Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world. In 2024, ATL retained its title as the world’s busiest airport for the 23rd consecutive year, with 62.7 million seats filled. This is the 23rd year in a row that Atlanta has been the world’s busiest airport.
During his tenure at BWI, Smith oversaw record-breaking growth, including a historic 2.6 million passengers in June 2024—an 11% increase from the previous year—and more than 27 million passengers for Fiscal Year 2024. Governor Wes Moore has highlighted BWI’s vital role in Maryland’s economy, contributing $11.3 billion in economic impact and supporting over 107,000 jobs.
A seasoned leader in airport management, Smith spearheaded major infrastructure upgrades at BWI, such as the Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System, the largest capital project in the airport’s history. His transition to ATL places him at the helm of a global aviation hub that served over 104 million passengers in 2023.
Hartsfield-Jackson is Atlanta’s key economic engine, and under Smith’s leadership, the airport is expected to further enhance efficiency, passenger experience, and long-term growth.
